EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS

SERIES 1 | 2 | 3 | Party Games

SERIES 1
* Number in parentheses at end of program description is BBCWA library tape number.

1. OPEN GOVERNMENT - On the day after the General Election, Jim Hacker MP receives the anxiously awaited call from No. 10 Downing Street with his new ministerial appointment. Jim has revolutionary plans for Open Government. (1)

2. THE OFFICIAL VISIT - The Minister has a plan to turn an official visit by the President of Buranda to party political advantage. The Permanent Secretary dislikes the plan, especially when it precipitates an unforeseen crisis. (2)

3. THE ECONOMY DRIVE - Pruning the Civil Service is a great political platform for the Minister while that idea is deeply upsetting to Sir Humphrey Appleby. Perhaps he can find a way to make the Minister abandon the policy. (3)

4. BIG BROTHER - Jim Hacker wants to protect people's right to privacy. He meets with stiff resistance from Sir Humphrey and learns that secrecy is as sacred an observance for civil servants as silence for Trappist monks. (4)

5. THE WRITING ON THE WALL - While battling one another on the Civil Service reduction issue, the Minister and Sir Humphrey learn of a plan that would adversely affect them both. They must now work together for the first time. (5)

6. THE RIGHT TO KNOW - Are there occasions when a Minister should be kept in the dark? The question takes on new meaning when the Minister's daughter joins a group protesting his plans for administration of the countryside. (6)

7. JOBS FOR THE BOYS - The Minister is puzzled by the Sir Humphrey's evading is questions about a Departmental construction project in the Midlands. When the awful truth is revealed, the Minister finds himself implicated as well. (7)

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SERIES 2
1. THE COMPASSIONATE SOCIETY - A newly built hospital has a full administrative staff but no patients due to government influenced reduction in the recruitment of medical staff. For some reason, Sir Humphrey does not want this particular boat rocked. (8)

2. DOING THE HONORS - At the Ministry of Administrative Affairs the conflict of interests continues. The Minister's and Sir Humphrey's concerns do not overlap, but they are becoming adept at compromise. (9)

3. THE DEATH LIST - The Minister is shocked to find that his Department is responsible for supplying all the government's electronic surveillance gear. His campaign was based in part on his opposition to bugging and phone tapping. (10)

4. THE GRASY POLE - British Chemical Corporation, with the backing of Sir Humphrey, wish to produce a dangerous chemical at their Merseyside factory. The citizens protest, and Jim must find an appropriate compromise. (11)

5. THE DEVIL YOU KNOW - The Minister is upset at rumors of a Cabinet reshuffle. Sir Humphrey is equally worried because if the Minister should go, there might be a move on to have the Permanent Secretary replaced. (12)

6. THE QUALITY OF LIFE - The Minister is having a particularly good day and even enjoys media coverage from the BBC on a trip to a children's city farm. However, one must never underestimate the manipulative skill of Sir Humphrey. (13)

7. A QUESTION OF LOYALTY - The conflict between politicians and civil servants is center stage. The Minister and Sir Humphrey appear before a select committee who scrutinize the functions of the Department of Administrative Affairs. (14)

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SERIES 3
1. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES - The Minister decides there should be more women occupying top jobs in the Civil Service. This raises some eyebrows around the Department, particularly those of Sir Humphrey. (15)

2. THE CHALLENGE - In a re-organization of government administration, Jim has the task of reducing local government bureaucracy. While commenting to a BBC radio interviewer, Jim does not know just how daunting this task will be. (16)

3. THE SKELETON IN THE CUPBOARD - Sir Humphrey wants a local authority disciplined because they have omitted some required paper work. The Minister will not comply, as the local authority is one of the most efficient in the country. (17)

4. THE MORAL DIMENSION - The Minister leads a delegation to the Persian Gulf. Sir Humphrey is on hand as his guide. One must learn in this part of the world that there is a recognized difference between a bribe an "extra-contractual payment." (18)

5. THE BED OF NAILS - Jim is given the job of implementing an Integrated National Transport Policy. Sir Humphrey explains the job could turn into a nightmare for the Minister and endeavors to protect him from any discomfort. (19)

6. THE WHISKEY PRIEST - The Minister is in possession of some embarrassing information on the sale of British arms to Italian terrorists. It takes all of Sir Humphrey's skill to convince Jim not to do anything foolish with the news. (20)

7. THE MIDDLE CLASS RIP OFF - Jim wants to rescue a struggling football club from financial difficulties. Sir Humphrey believes that subsidies are only for art and culture, not for some entertainment form that the people actually want. (21)

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PARTY GAMES - Major changes are taking place in the corridors of power. The frequently strained relationship between Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey may never be the same again. There are powerful rumors of a significant reshuffle of the Cabinet. (*Note: This sixty- minute program bridges Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister.)