§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the impact on the islanders of Tristan da Cunha of the changes in sailing schedules of the Royal Mail Ship St Helena; and if he will make a statement. [189541]
Mr. Gareth ThomasIn January this year, the St. Helena Government (SHG) decided to end the annual call by the RMS St. Helena at Tristan da Cunha. In reaching its decision, SHG considered the alternative access arrangements available to Tristan da Cunha and the take-up of passenger and freight traffic on the ship during recent voyages. Taking account of alternative shipping links with Tristan, which can offer more competitively priced freight and passenger capacity, the conclusion reached was that the annual call had become of limited economic or practical value.
Essential physical access arrangements for Tristan will be maintained by other vessels that call there on other business. These include two South African fishing vessels and a South African research ship which, between them, are expected to make 14 visits to Tristan this year.
The new arrangements for the XRMS St. Helena' will remain under review and further adjustments will be considered in the light of experience. SHG has not ruled out the possibility in future of occasional voyages to Tristan (or the UK) if there were sufficient demand for them.