HC Deb 08 July 1959 vol 608 cc1343-4
40. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made with rewording Post Office forms to make them less rigid.

Mr. K. Thompson

About 150 forms out of the 2,000 have so far been revised, and the first batch of these has been printed. They have been reworded to make them more friendly, more personal and easily understood. The typography and layout have also been improved. I have arranged for some typical specimens of old and new versions to be displayed in the Library for Members to see for themselves what has been done. About 120 standard draft letters used by the Post Office have also been revised. We are pressing ahead with revising the remaining forms and standard letters. I should like to acknowledge our debt to Sir Francis Meynell, who has given us very helpful advice in this connection.

Mr. Johnson

Is my hon. Friend aware that the general public will be grateful for that Answer, which is thoroughly in keeping with my right hon. Friend's admirable practice of reviving that old-world habit of courtesy?

Mr. Thompson

I will draw my right hon. Friend's attention to my hon. Friend's remark.