The following does not indicate a direct and permanent horizontal movement, but does 
confirm observation of some -- temporary at least -- horizontal movement, and is 
consistent with other things I have seen. 

In four packs, the clusters in the individual tend to migrate towards the centre point, 
of the pallet but it may be argued that this is just a matter of contracting to that point, 
not simply moving the cluster.

Additionally, when a strong wintering cluster moves up and is under an insulated lid, 
it can cover ten frames, at least on warm days.  Does it move right to left or vice versa? 
That is a matter of semantics.

Without knowing the context of the mention, it is hard to judge its truthfulness. 

Quoting from:

THE THERMOLOGY OF WINTERING HONEY BEE COLONIES
By CHARLES D. OWENS, Agricultural Engineering Research Division, 
Agricultural Research Service

--- begin excerpt ---

The cluster shape is usually ellipsoidal. The shape changes most when the cluster is 
relocating or apparently moving honey stores in the hive (fig. 6, L, N, P). Sideways 
movement of the cluster or probable transfer of stores was observed on several 
occasions during the 5-year study. The cluster shape did not materially change in the 
vertical plane. 
Two of the most extreme deviations in shape are illustrated to show what can occur 
within a hive during the clustering period (fig. 16, A, B, and C). On November 14 the 
isotherms in the tape colony heated by thermotape to 35º F. indicated that the cluster 
was of uniform shape and located in the center of the hive. On November 23 when the 
outside temperature was 24º, the isotherms, as viewed from the rear of the hive,
indicated that the cluster had divided, apparently to rearrange its stores. By November 
29 it had returned to its former shape and location. The cluster was large, as shown by 
the depth of the 44º isotherm. Because of its size and aided by the heater it was able 
to divide and still maintain the required temperatures. 
Normally the cluster temperatures allowed a smooth curve to be drawn connecting 
points of equal temperature. However, a colony heated to 40º F. during December had 
a very irregular shape at the 76º isotherm (fig. 16, D, E, F), and for part of the month 
the 60º isotherm was also irregular. In mid-December the warmer area of the cluster in 
the center body appeared to be splitting. In the last part of December this area of the 
cluster began moving into the top super, and this irregular shape remained until the 
cluster completed its move into the top super. Afterward it maintained a normal shape 
for the rest of the year. Views parallel to the combs showed no irregular shapes. 
These illustrations show that a colony can and does make short-term shifts in the hive, 
probably to move honey into the clustering area. However, both of these incidents 
occurred in well-populated hives that could generate the heat to warm the area into 
which they were moving. Small clusters covering only the depth of the frame could 
move only under very mild temperatures. 

--- end quote ---

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