§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she will list the schemes her Department operates to assist staff facing financial hardship following a transfer, showing(a) the particular criteria and rules applying to each one, including the circumstances under which any loans can be written off, (b) the total amount loaned or granted under the schemes in 1992–93 and so far in 1993–94 and (c) the number of staff assisted in 1992–93 and so far in 1993–94.
§ Sir John WheelerAllowable expenses payable to staff who are transferred, in the public interest, to a new location are contained in the Northern Ireland civil service pay and conditions of service code, and the home civil service departmental pay and conditions of service code.
Departments can, however, make additional payments in cases where existing provisions do not adequately cover all of the necessary costs incurred by staff and where there is financial hardship. Each case is considered on its merits.
In 1992–93 there were no cases, while in 1993–94 to date additional payments amounting to .1,965.00 have been made to two members of staff.