Letters

AuthorityCabinet Office
Date received2019-10-13
OutcomeSome information sent but not all held
Outcome date2019-10-28
Case ID1001358

Summary

The requester asked for government policies on letter signatures and font sizes, referencing a past Tynwald report. The Cabinet Office disclosed that no policy exists for signatures but confirmed a minimum 10pt font size requirement in the Corporate Identity Guidelines.

Key Facts

  • The Cabinet Office does not hold a policy on signing letters or ensuring signatures are clearly readable.
  • Government documents must use a font size of at least 10 points according to Corporate Identity Guidelines.
  • The request was received on 10 October 2019 and clarified on 13 October 2019.
  • The response was issued on 28 October 2019.
  • The requester mentioned a report by Tony Brown to Tynwald, but the authority did not confirm its existence in the response.

Data Disclosed

  • 10 October 2019
  • 13 October 2019
  • 28 October 2019
  • 1001358
  • 10 pt
  • 2015

Original Request

What is the government policy on signing letters and the signature that can be clearly read What is the government policy on the size of font to be used I recall Tony Brown who was the chair of a committee and he brought a Report to Tynwald which was approved Clarificaiton I am asking what is the policy that applies to all government departments correspondence. I can't help you any further but I am sure if you searched Hansard will confirm the matter being debated

Data Tables (1)

Concerning type size in government documents, the Corporate Identity Guidelines
(linked below) state type should be at least 10 pt.

Full Response Text

Government Office Douglas Isle of Man IM1 3PN Telephone: (+44) 01624 686244 Website: www.gov.im/co

Our ref: 1001358 28 October 2019

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 10 October 2019 which states:

"What is the government policy on signing letters and the signature that can be clearly read What is the government policy on the size of font to be used I recall Tony Brown who was the chair of a committee and he brought a Report to Tynwald which was approved You provided further clarification on the request on 13 October as follows: “I am asking what is the policy that applies to all government departments correspondence. I can't help you any further but I am sure if you searched Hansard will confirm the matter being debated"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Cabinet Office does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find some of the information that you have requested. There is no policy held on “signing letters and the signature that can be clearly read.” Concerning type size in government documents, the Corporate Identity Guidelines (linked below) state type should be at least 10 pt. https://www.gov.im/media/623687/corporateidentityguidelines.pdf Please quote the reference number 1001358 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are

dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely