§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on the payment of relocation expenses to staff in her Department. [41028]
§ Ms HewittThe Department acts as a responsible employer when requiring a member of staff to relocate. Assistance is offered if either the mobility obligation is enforced or if permanent and compulsory terms are offered and relocation is cost-effective compared with alternatives. The principle underlying the Department's policy is that reasonable additional costs necessarily incurred in relocation will be reimbursed, though this should not result in the betterment of an individual's circumstances.