I've just applied for a new job - one of the places I applied for wanted a CV and an application form.
Normally, these application forms are just standardised things - basic name/address, current salary, etc, although some places have now stopped asking for CVs and instead have a comprehensive application form.
One of them, however, had a very comprehensive application form, asking qualifications, employment history, experience, recent projects, and reasons for wanting the job as well as justification as to why you could do it - and they wanted 4 copies of a CV as well - hang on, isn't everything on the app. form just going to be in the CV anyway?
Presumably, its because equal opportunities auditing requires them to have a standard application form - so that no one is unreasonably disadvantaged. But at the same time, many of the selection panel probably find CVs easier to read.
Of course, what really annoys me is the number of forms - not only do you have to submit the application form and CV. Nowadays you need the security clearance form, equal opportunities racial background form, proof of identity form (with attached photos), etc.