Doing the Honours
Encyclopedia
"Doing the Honours" is the ninth episode of the BBC
comedy series Yes Minister
and was first broadcast 2 March 1981. In this episode, the final ' Yes Minister ' is uttered by Sir Humphrey Appleby, though he actually says "Yes, Doctor... er, Minister".
is holding a meeting with his junior civil servants
regarding the scope for economies in certain departments. Not one of them is able to suggest a single area of expenditure where this can happen. However, the Minister
points to one minor victory: universities
will be forced to make overseas students pay for their own tuition — with no exceptions. After the meeting, Bernard
(Hacker's Principal Private Secretary
) approaches the Minister to ask if he has approved the departmental recommendations for the latest honours list
.
Bernard remarks that while in theory ministers can withhold civil service honours, in practice it is rarely the case. Hacker wonders how he can make government officials want economies in the same way as they desire their knighthoods, etc. Bernard then hesitantly suggests to the Minister that he might like to consider denying honours to those civil servants who haven't cut their budgets by 5%. Hacker is immediately enthusiastic.
Sir Humphrey Appleby
has been enjoying a dinner at Baillie, his old college, and is chatting with the Master and the Bursar. They are concerned at the college's poor financial situation, which won't be helped by Hacker's policy of making overseas students pay for their tuition. Baillie is particularly affected as it has a large influx of such students. Sir Humphrey suggests that they take more from the UK
, but the economics dictate otherwise. The Master and Bursar ask Sir Humphrey to persuade his minister to designate Baillie as an exception, and they agree to invite Hacker to a High Table dinner at the college.
The next morning, Hacker meets with Sir Humphrey and tells him of his plan to withhold honours. The Permanent Secretary
is dumbstruck. Hacker points out that anyone else would have to earn an honour, whereas in the civil service, such things "come up with the rations". Sir Humphrey struggles to put his case, calling the idea "a Bennite
solution" and demanding to know where it came from. Bernard is immediately sheepish, but Hacker does not betray him. Sir Humphrey argues that the honours system should be given a "fair trial", but the Minister reminds him that the Most Noble Order of the Garter
was founded in 1348 by Edward III
. Hacker brooks no argument and insists that his scheme is enacted straightaway. Sir Humphrey then informs the Minister of his dinner at Baillie College and the representations made to him regarding overseas students. However, he lets slip that he was educated at Baillie himself, which only adds to Hacker's scepticism.
The Cabinet Secretary
, Sir Arnold Robinson, invites Sir Humphrey over to his office. He is equally concerned over Hacker's plan to link honours to economies, and observes that, if implemented, the "contagion would spread" to all departments. Sir Humphrey is nervous: by his own admission, he can find no effective arguments against the proposal. Nevertheless, Sir Arnold seeks an assurance that it won't be put into practice — otherwise it could cause Sir Humphrey’s "soundness" to be questioned. Then Sir Arnold mentions a telephone conversation he has had with the Master of Baillie College. Since the Cabinet Secretary himself is a Baillie man, he too promised that the college would continue to receive government grants for all its students. He now adds this to Sir Humphrey's burden, but is reassured that Hacker has been invited to a benefactor's dinner.
The next evening, Hacker travels to the dinner in his ministerial car. Bernard is with him and tells him of Sir Humphrey's dressing-down from Sir Arnold. They also discuss the various honours that are given, and Bernard remarks that despite the Cabinet Secretary's seniority, he doesn't yet have all the honours for which he could be eligible.
After the meal, the Master, the Bursar and Sir Humphrey chat with a drunken Hacker about Baillie's history. They tell him that most of its facilities are named after its benefactors, but drop the hint that its heritage may be coming to an abrupt end. Changing the subject, Sir Humphrey enquires about the college's latest Honorary Doctorate of Law and asks about the intended recipient. It seems that they would like to bestow the honour on the Minister himself…
In the morning, Hacker is back at the DAA and nursing a heavy hangover before another expenditure survey meeting. Sir Humphrey formally informs him about the Honorary Doctorate and Hacker is surprised and delighted. However, the mandarin reminds the Minister that it would be a question of accepting an honour without actually having done anything to deserve it — the same argument put forward by Hacker for holding back civil service honours. The Minister now has a change of heart regarding Baillie College and Sir Humphrey tells him that it can be redesignated as a Commonwealth Education Centre, which would exempt it from charging overseas students. Hacker is concerned about finding the money for it, and Sir Humphrey assures him that he could achieve cuts in his department, so long as the plan for withholding honours is shelved. The meeting takes place and every participant is suddenly able to find scope for economies, coincidentally each of them for the requisite 5%. Satisfied, Hacker hands the honours list to Sir Humphrey, and asks if everything is in order. "Yes, Doctor... er, Minister" comes the reply.
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
comedy series Yes Minister
Yes Minister
Yes Minister is a satirical British sitcom written by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn that was first transmitted by BBC Television between 1980–1982 and 1984, split over three seven-episode series. The sequel, Yes, Prime Minister, ran from 1986 to 1988. In total there were 38 episodes—of which all but...
and was first broadcast 2 March 1981. In this episode, the final ' Yes Minister ' is uttered by Sir Humphrey Appleby, though he actually says "Yes, Doctor... er, Minister".
Plot
Jim HackerJames Hacker
James George Hacker, Baron Hacker of Islington, KG, PC, B. Sc. , Hon. D. C. L. was a fictional British politician. He was the Minister of the fictional Department of Administrative Affairs, and later the Prime Minister, in the 1980s British sitcom Yes Minister and its sequel, Yes, Prime Minister...
is holding a meeting with his junior civil servants
British Civil Service
Her Majesty's Home Civil Service, also known as the Home Civil Service, is the permanent bureaucracy of Crown employees that supports Her Majesty's Government - the government of the United Kingdom, composed of a Cabinet of ministers chosen by the prime minister, as well as the devolved...
regarding the scope for economies in certain departments. Not one of them is able to suggest a single area of expenditure where this can happen. However, the Minister
Minister (government)
A minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....
points to one minor victory: universities
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
will be forced to make overseas students pay for their own tuition — with no exceptions. After the meeting, Bernard
Bernard Woolley
Sir Bernard Woolley GCB is one of the three main fictional characters of the 1980s British sitcom Yes Minister and its sequel, Yes, Prime Minister. He was portrayed by Derek Fowlds.-Character:...
(Hacker's Principal Private Secretary
Principal Private Secretary
In the British Civil Service and Australian Public Service the Principal Private Secretary is the civil servant who runs a cabinet minister's private office...
) approaches the Minister to ask if he has approved the departmental recommendations for the latest honours list
British honours system
The British honours system is a means of rewarding individuals' personal bravery, achievement, or service to the United Kingdom and the British Overseas Territories...
.
Bernard remarks that while in theory ministers can withhold civil service honours, in practice it is rarely the case. Hacker wonders how he can make government officials want economies in the same way as they desire their knighthoods, etc. Bernard then hesitantly suggests to the Minister that he might like to consider denying honours to those civil servants who haven't cut their budgets by 5%. Hacker is immediately enthusiastic.
Sir Humphrey Appleby
Humphrey Appleby
Sir Humphrey Appleby, GCB, KBE, MVO, MA , is a fictional character from the British television series Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister. He was played by Sir Nigel Hawthorne. In Yes Minister, he is the Permanent Secretary for the Department of Administrative Affairs...
has been enjoying a dinner at Baillie, his old college, and is chatting with the Master and the Bursar. They are concerned at the college's poor financial situation, which won't be helped by Hacker's policy of making overseas students pay for their tuition. Baillie is particularly affected as it has a large influx of such students. Sir Humphrey suggests that they take more from the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, but the economics dictate otherwise. The Master and Bursar ask Sir Humphrey to persuade his minister to designate Baillie as an exception, and they agree to invite Hacker to a High Table dinner at the college.
The next morning, Hacker meets with Sir Humphrey and tells him of his plan to withhold honours. The Permanent Secretary
Permanent Secretary
The Permanent secretary, in most departments officially titled the permanent under-secretary of state , is the most senior civil servant of a British Government ministry, charged with running the department on a day-to-day basis...
is dumbstruck. Hacker points out that anyone else would have to earn an honour, whereas in the civil service, such things "come up with the rations". Sir Humphrey struggles to put his case, calling the idea "a Bennite
Tony Benn
Anthony Neil Wedgwood "Tony" Benn, PC is a British Labour Party politician and a former MP and Cabinet Minister.His successful campaign to renounce his hereditary peerage was instrumental in the creation of the Peerage Act 1963...
solution" and demanding to know where it came from. Bernard is immediately sheepish, but Hacker does not betray him. Sir Humphrey argues that the honours system should be given a "fair trial", but the Minister reminds him that the Most Noble Order of the Garter
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
was founded in 1348 by Edward III
Edward III of England
Edward III was King of England from 1327 until his death and is noted for his military success. Restoring royal authority after the disastrous reign of his father, Edward II, Edward III went on to transform the Kingdom of England into one of the most formidable military powers in Europe...
. Hacker brooks no argument and insists that his scheme is enacted straightaway. Sir Humphrey then informs the Minister of his dinner at Baillie College and the representations made to him regarding overseas students. However, he lets slip that he was educated at Baillie himself, which only adds to Hacker's scepticism.
The Cabinet Secretary
Cabinet Secretary
A Cabinet Secretary is almost always a senior official who provides services and advice to a Cabinet of Ministers. In many countries, the position can have considerably wider functions and powers, including general responsibility for the entire civil service...
, Sir Arnold Robinson, invites Sir Humphrey over to his office. He is equally concerned over Hacker's plan to link honours to economies, and observes that, if implemented, the "contagion would spread" to all departments. Sir Humphrey is nervous: by his own admission, he can find no effective arguments against the proposal. Nevertheless, Sir Arnold seeks an assurance that it won't be put into practice — otherwise it could cause Sir Humphrey’s "soundness" to be questioned. Then Sir Arnold mentions a telephone conversation he has had with the Master of Baillie College. Since the Cabinet Secretary himself is a Baillie man, he too promised that the college would continue to receive government grants for all its students. He now adds this to Sir Humphrey's burden, but is reassured that Hacker has been invited to a benefactor's dinner.
The next evening, Hacker travels to the dinner in his ministerial car. Bernard is with him and tells him of Sir Humphrey's dressing-down from Sir Arnold. They also discuss the various honours that are given, and Bernard remarks that despite the Cabinet Secretary's seniority, he doesn't yet have all the honours for which he could be eligible.
After the meal, the Master, the Bursar and Sir Humphrey chat with a drunken Hacker about Baillie's history. They tell him that most of its facilities are named after its benefactors, but drop the hint that its heritage may be coming to an abrupt end. Changing the subject, Sir Humphrey enquires about the college's latest Honorary Doctorate of Law and asks about the intended recipient. It seems that they would like to bestow the honour on the Minister himself…
In the morning, Hacker is back at the DAA and nursing a heavy hangover before another expenditure survey meeting. Sir Humphrey formally informs him about the Honorary Doctorate and Hacker is surprised and delighted. However, the mandarin reminds the Minister that it would be a question of accepting an honour without actually having done anything to deserve it — the same argument put forward by Hacker for holding back civil service honours. The Minister now has a change of heart regarding Baillie College and Sir Humphrey tells him that it can be redesignated as a Commonwealth Education Centre, which would exempt it from charging overseas students. Hacker is concerned about finding the money for it, and Sir Humphrey assures him that he could achieve cuts in his department, so long as the plan for withholding honours is shelved. The meeting takes place and every participant is suddenly able to find scope for economies, coincidentally each of them for the requisite 5%. Satisfied, Hacker hands the honours list to Sir Humphrey, and asks if everything is in order. "Yes, Doctor... er, Minister" comes the reply.
Episode cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Paul Eddington Paul Eddington Paul Eddington CBE was an English actor best known for his appearances in popular television sitcoms of the 1970s and 80s: The Good Life, Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister.-Early life:... |
Jim Hacker |
| Nigel Hawthorne Nigel Hawthorne Sir Nigel Barnard Hawthorne, CBE was an English actor, perhaps best remembered for his role as Sir Humphrey Appleby, the Permanent Secretary in the 1980s sitcom Yes Minister and the Cabinet Secretary in its sequel, Yes, Prime Minister. For this role he won four BAFTA Awards during the 1980s in the... |
Sir Humphrey Appleby |
| Derek Fowlds Derek Fowlds Derek Fowlds is an English actor, known for playing Bernard Woolley in popular British television comedies Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister and Oscar Blaketon in the long-running ITV police drama Heartbeat.... |
Bernard Woolley |
| Frank Middlemass Frank Middlemass Francis George Middlemass was an English actor, who even in his early career played older roles. He is best remembered for his television roles as Rocky Hardcastle in As Time Goes By, Algy Herries in To Serve Them All My Days and Dr. Alex Ferrenby in Heartbeat... |
Master, Baillie College |
| John Nettleton John Nettleton (actor) John Nettleton is an English actor.One of his most notable roles was that of Sir Arnold Robinson, the Cabinet Secretary in Yes Minister and President of the Campaign for Freedom of Information in the follow-up Yes, Prime Minister... |
Sir Arnold Robinson |
| William Fox William Fox (actor) William Hubert Fox TD was a British character actor and writer. Fox enjoyed early success on the stage playing juvenile roles... |
Bursar, Baillie College |
| John Pennington | Peter |
| Margo Johns Margo Johns Margo Johns was a British actress and the first wife of actor William Franklyn.Her film credits include Murder at the Windmill and Konga , while her television credits include Dixon of Dock Green, Emergency - Ward 10, The Saint and Yes Minister.-External links:... |
Civil Servant |
| Anne Maxwell | Civil Servant |