§ Mr. Anthony Grantasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will set out in the Official Report the forms required by his Department or organisations for which he is responsible to be completed by firms with less than 200 employees or turnover of less than £500,000 per annum, the frequency with which such forms are required, the number of questions asked and the use to which the information so obtained is put; and what steps he is taking to reduce such form filling.
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§ Mr. BoothI regret that the wide-ranging information requested cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost. I can assure the hon. Member that every effort is made to keep form filling requirements to the essential minimum and such requirements are kept under constant review. Where feasible, sampling methods are used for statistical inquiries, especially in respect of smaller firms.