To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what dates (a) the discussions on the construction of RMS St. Helena commenced, (b) the approval for construction was given, (c) construction started and (d) the vessel commenced her maiden voyage. (266054)

Economic Consultants Ltd. carried out an options study into the replacement for the original RMS St. Helena in 1984.

Approval for her construction was given in November 1987, and a contract was signed with Hall Russell for her construction in December 1988. Her maiden voyage commenced in November 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the projected (a) lifespan and (b) cost of RMS St. Helena was when it was commissioned; and what the cost to the public purse was on completion. (266055)

While there is no definitive figure, the RMS St. Helena could be expected to have an economic lifespan of 20 to 25 years. The RMS St. Helena has now reached a stage where Lloyds Registry and the Marine and Coastguard Agency require annual inspections in dry dock to maintain her Class 1 Passenger certificate.

The original contract with Hall Russell for the construction of the RMS St. Helena was signed in the amount of £19.4 million. The final cost to the public purse following completion of the work by Appledore after Hall Russell went into receivership was £31.8 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on (a) funding of an airport on the island of St. Helena, (b) the replacement of RMS St. Helena, (c) the comparative economic benefits to the island's economy from each form of access by (i) sea and (ii) air and (d) the cost to the public purse of the subsidy to sustain the (A) population and (B) economy of St. Helena; and if he will make a statement. (266058)

Routine discussions have taken place with Treasury at official level from April 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what consideration he has given to the procurement of a vessel to replace RMS St. Helena. (266060)

The option of replacing the RMS St. Helena was considered as part of Atkins' 2005 feasibility study.

No decision will be taken on whether to replace the RMS St. Helena pending the completion of the public consultation we announced on 16 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much has been spent on (a) repairs to and (b) maintenance of RMS St. Helena in each of the last 10 years; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of (i) renewal, (ii) refurbishment, (iii) repairs and (iv) maintenance for each of the remaining years of the vessel's anticipated life. (266061)

Annual maintenance costs (including repairs) for the RMS St. Helena over the last 10-years are set out in the following table. These do not include consumables (paint etc.).

A replacement vessel is estimated to cost between £35 million and £75 million, depending on the country of origin.

An additional capital investment of approximately £2.5 million in 2009-10 would be required for refurbishment the engines and for repairs to essential steelwork to extend the working life of the ship to around 2015.

In addition to this, annual maintenance costs are expected to be of the order of £1.2 million per annum (inclusive of annual dry dock required to maintain certification).

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of a replacement vessel for RMS St. Helena. (266062)

Estimates carried out during the 2005 feasibility study and updated in 2007 put the cost of a replacement vessel at between approximately £35 million and £75 million, depending on the country of origin. No decision will be taken on whether to replace the RMS St. Helena pending the completion of the public consultation I announced on 16 March.