§ Mr. Thurnhamasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what type of ship will be built to replace the RMS St. Helena.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe 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.