Katharine wrote:We had discussion in our family as to how Patrick should answer one question. .
I also had a problem with a few questions and rang the help line who were most willing to assist - but couldn't!
The address of your office? Well, I ended up with two offices in different countries (together with secretaries and support staff) but how do I put the two full addresses in the space provided?
What did you actually do (as opposed to job title)? At last count I had 13 specified separate and very different functions, each of which from time to time took up 110% of my working hours so I couldn't say I spent more time at one than another (I didn't have to work full time on every one, thank goodness!) There's not enough room and why haven't you given enough space?
It was finally agreed that I would use (in)discretion and they would not charge me with giving "false" replies!!!!!! (Oh, I DO like causing chaos and trouble)
After all that we were on good terms so
"Did you spend more than 30 days in the past year outside the UK"? to which, for me, the answer is "yes". If so "What country"?(note the singular!) to which my verbal answer was "Wherever I hang my hat" (OK I know it has been done to death but I can travel and at least she laughed!).
It turns out that you are absolutely and completely prohibited (? under pain of imprisonment and decapitation in the Tower) from answering "Yes" if the 30 days are on holiday; you must have a
single address abroad where you spent 30 days. We were laughing so much that I didn't ask if you could put down three countries where you spent 30 days (each) per annum. Why on earth can't the Civil Service morons actually write what they mean????????????
Oh dear - there might be some OB in the Uncivil Service