HC Deb 11 March 2002 vol 381 cc667-8W
Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which relocation companies her Department has used when relocating civil servants since May 1997; 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. [42365]

Ms Hewitt

Since May 1997 the Department has used only one company and has a contract with only one company for relocating civil servants, Cendant Relocation Services (previously known as Bradford and Bingley Relocation Services and Black Horse Relocation Services). The contract was let in November 1999. The contract was not advertised; six companies were invited to tender. The contract runs until 31 October 2002 (with provision to extend if necessary). Its value at award was £950,000 a year.

Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many civil servants in her Ministry have used the services of Cendant or its subsidiaries(a) to relocate in London and (b) to be housed in London since May 1997; what the name was of the company employed in each case; and what were the dates on each occasion. [42366]

Ms Hewitt

From April 2000 to March 2002 11 DTI civil servants have used the services of Cendant Relocation Services to relocate to and to be housed in London or within a reasonable travelling distance of London. The relocations were initiated on: 23 May 2000, 2 June 2000, 17 August 2000, 27 July 2000, 19 January 2001, 30 January 2001, 22 May 2001, 4 September 2001, 19 October 2001, 2 January 2002 and 7 March 2002.

Prior to April 2000 DTI did not record data on relocation by location from other data on staff relocations. To provide the information requested from May 1997 to March 2000 would entail disproportionate cost.