§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what alternative arrangements are now being made to ensure the maintenance of the sea communications of St. Helena now that RMS "St. Helena" has been temporarily withdrawn from service.
§ Mr. OnslowThe St. Helena Shipping Company, which operates the RMS "St. Helena" has chartered a small vessel, the "Aragonite", to take 12 passengers and cargo from Avonmouth to Ascension and St. Helena. She is already on her way to the islands and will be available thereafter to operate a shuttle service between St. Helena and Ascension and to take passengers and cargo to and from Capetown.
In addition, another vessel, the "Marog Mette", has been chartered to carry 900 tons of cargo from Avonmouth to the islands. She should arrive before the end of June.
The St. Helena Shipping Company is actively searching for another passenger-cargo vessel to operate on the St. Helena route until the RMS "St. Helena" is returned to service.