HL Deb 17 December 1986 vol 483 c269WA
The Earl of Lindsey and Abingdon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What type of ship will be built to replace the RMS "St. Helena".

Baroness Young

The Government have given careful consideration to a variety of options and have decided, with the agreement of the St. Helena Government, that the new ship will be a 125-berth mixed passenger/cargo vessel, built in a United Kingdom yard. We expect the ship to meet all St. Helena's estimated passenger and cargo needs for the foreseeable future, except for petrol, which cannot be carried on a passenger ship and which will be supplied under separate arrangements.

The Overseas Development Administration is now setting in motion the competitive tendering arrangements for design and construction of the vessel.