Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps he is taking to ensure St Helena is resupplied following the withdrawal of the ferry service.
Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Following the decommissioning of the Royal Mail Ship St Helena in 2018, the St Helena Government contracted sea cargo services using the MV St Helena, which delivers bulk supplies on a monthly basis. A commercial air passenger service also provides capacity to transport freight to the island on a weekly basis. We are working to support Overseas Territories including St Helena during the COVID-19 pandemic and are in regular dialogue with them on the assistance required, including on supplies.