Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the benefit to Belfast of its twinning with HMS Duncan.

Affiliation allows society to have greater visibility and understanding of the Royal Navy that serves them. This was particularly the case for HMS DUNCAN in 2014 and 2016 when she visited Belfast, the latter being in company with the other vessels in the NATO Task Group.

These visits also allow wider defence engagements and support to the community and charities. For example, the ship's company of HMS DUNCAN have conducted outreach activities with the local hospice and youth groups.

In parallel with this, the ship's Commanding Officer maintains an on-going relationship with various affiliates in the region.