§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what is the total number of different forms which her Department, and its subordinate agencies, have currently available for different purposes requiring completion by members of the general public; when the necessity for such forms was last reviewed; and whether she intends to reduce the number of such forms and to simplify their contents.
Mr. Alan WilliamsNo forms are issued by my Department for completion by individual members of the general 77W public. Only one statistical inquiry is carried out involving one form being sent weekly to each of 66 businesses which voluntarily provide information. The necessity for this inquiry was reviewed towards the end of last year and resulted in the number of participating businesses being reduced from 240 to the present number.
Forms issued by the Office of Fair Trading, the Price Commission and the Monopolies and Mergers Commission are not the direct responsibility of my Department.