asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether he will ensure that on all official forms for use by the public adequate space is allowed for completion by members of the public with normal sized hand-writing.

Since 1982, standards of good practice have been available to all Departments and are reflected in departmental handbooks such as DHSS's "Good Forms Guide", and MOD's forms design worksheets. Departments are free to use their discretion in applying the recommended standards, but my Department continues to monitor, guide and encourage their efforts on this as on all other aspects of forms work.