July 16, 2012Dear Sir,I believe we have more civil servants per capita than any other developed nation. Apart from the fact that this is a luxury we can no longer afford, are we allowed to ask why, when there are so many of them, is it that, regardless of what government department one telephones, it is invariably voice mail that answers?Today I have telephoned Immigration four times. Each time I got voice mail. I left four messages. No one has returned a call. Finally, after going back to the main operator six times (my phone looks like a million dollar win, there are so many 0s on the display) in a vain attempt to find a human voice, I was put on hold for Immigration. When someone finally answered there, I was told that the only people who could help me with my query to do with the recent changes to the land licences legislation and its practical application had both “stepped out”. No one knew where or how long for. So far I’ve been on hold for in excess of 30 minutes.Perhaps since non-Bermudians no longer need spousal certificates, those folk at Immigration responsible for their issuance are all out interviewing for new jobs? Or will there be no attempt to reduce the size of the civil service commensurate with the lesser amount of work now needed?ELSPETH A BREWINWarwick