Cameron scuppers royal yacht call

Mr Cameron has ruled out using taxpayers’ money to fund a yacht, saying that it would not be “appropriate” in the current economic circumstances, despite suggestions from Tory Ministers that a new royal yacht be created to replace the scrapped Britannia as part of celebrations to mark the Queen’s 60 years on the throne.

The spokesman said the PM would be likely to “react favourably” to requests for Government support for an initiative to raise private money to pay for a vessel to commemorate the Queen’s 60 years on the throne.

The move comes after Mr Cameron was understood to have received letters in September last year from universities Minister David Willetts and Education Secretary Michael Gove backing a proposal from retired rear-admiral David Bawtree.

The PM’s spokesman told reporters: “The proposal has come forward from a number of sources to build a new royal yacht. Clearly they are talking about using private money, whether that is from organisations or institutions or companies or individuals.”

Asked if Mr Cameron would be willing to offer non-financial assistance to any such project, the spokesman said: “We would react favourably to that, but it is not a Government proposal.

“If people come to us and say could we do anything to facilitate this and support this, then we would be happy to have those conversations and see what we can do, but it is not a Government proposal.

“The question is what it is that we can do as a Government to support this. If there’s something we can do to support it, we will look at that.”

In his letter, Mr Gove wrote: “In spite, and perhaps because of, the austere times, the celebration should go beyond those of previous jubilees and mark the greater achievement that the diamond anniversary represents.”

The Queen’s “highly significant contribution” to Britain and the Commonwealth should be recognised with a “lasting legacy”.

“Events such as proms and the party at the palace organised for the Diamond Jubilee, and street parties, although excellent, are transient,” he wrote.

“It would be appropriate to do something that will mark the significance of this occasion with fitting ceremony.

“My suggestion would be a gift from the nation to Her Majesty; thinking about David Willetts’s excellent suggestion of a royal yacht, and something tangible to commemorate this momentous occasion.”

Mr Gove also argued that the Diamond Jubilee celebrations should not be secondary to the Olympics.

“The Diamond Jubilee must not be overshadowed by the Olympic Games, but form an integral part of this great year for our country,” he wrote.

Labour Party deputy chairman Tom Watson said: “We’re all looking forward to the Diamond Jubilee. The significance of the occasion should be celebrated across the country.

“But Michael Gove has shown he is out of touch with this proposal.

“When school budgets are being slashed, parents will be wondering how Gove came even to suggest this idea. This is not the time to spend £60m on a yacht.”

Mr Clegg agreed that voters see this year’s milestone as a “wonderful occasion”, but said a multimillion-pound vessel was not their priority at a time of cuts elsewhere.