§ 29. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Minister for the Civil Service when he last issued guidance to the Civil Service on the use of the English language.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisContinual attention has been paid to this subject 319W since Sir Ernest Gowers' "Plain Words" was issued in 1948. This was followed in 1954 by "The Complete Plain Words", which was subsequently revised by Sir Bruce Fraser in 1973. The work is recommended reading for all new entrants to the Civil Service and is widely read by both senior and junior staff. In addition, my Department has produced a programmed text on letter-writing, which is revised and reprinted annually for distribution to all Departments. Other approaches include formal training courses and handbooks designed particularly for the clerical and executive officer grades.