§ Mr. HunterTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development which relocation companies hold contracts with her Department for the relocation of civil servants; when the contracts were last renewed; where the contracts were advertised; and what the length and value of each contract is. [137196]
§ Clare ShortCrown Worldwide Ltd. provide relocation services to my Department for staff taking up or returning from assignments overseas. A three year contract, with the option of a two year extension, was signed in April 1998. It was advertised in October 1997 in theInternational Freight Weekly, EU Journal, Government Opportunities and the Daily Telegraph. The option for the two year extension was taken up in May 2000 and the contract will expire on 31 March 2003. The contract has no financial value, we pay for services provided. There is no contractual arrangement for relocation within the UK and staff are required to seek competitive tenders from three companies.