Whilst I would not expect a Government organisation to be run to commercial business standards, I still do not see how they can take what is now 20 days and still counting to recover a Minor Mariners Record. If the records are kept in any sort of order a few minutes would suffice. To produce a certified copy (I assume this is what they do) a few minutes more, to place it in an envelope and run it through a franking machine.....
If backlog is their problem their staff ought to be on flexi-time and told every order must be cleared within 48hours. Presumably the load lightens naturally around the holidays when everyone has their minds on other matters and the staff can shop and party to their hearts content. Bureaucracy is the invention of governments to give everyone a rubber stamp to make them feel important and woe betide anyone who tells them otherwise and dares to suggest the words "Civil Service" imply there is a customer out there.
When was the last time they asked for a photocopy and were told it would take weeks?
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– it even takes me by surprise sometimes. As my dear old mum used to say, auld age doesn’t come by itself!
Maybe he was worried his wee tot’s pals would shorten it. Braty Maxy doesn’t have quite the same ring, does it? Ah well …. Rowan’s a good choice though! There’s a hint of the Gaelic in there I’m sure ……