Equal Opportunities (Yes Minister)
Encyclopedia
"Equal Opportunities" is the fifteenth episode of the BBC
comedy series Yes Minister
and was first broadcast 11 November 1982.
is at home, giving an interview to a young girl named Kathy, who is writing an article for her school magazine. His wife, Annie, enters the room to remind her husband to watch a TV programme that evening. It features a woman MP
, whom Hacker refers to as a "rampaging feminist". Kathy then changes her line of questioning, and asks the Minister
if he thinks that women are the "exploited sex". He is sure that it is no longer the case, despite the House of Commons
overwhelmingly comprising men. Finally, Kathy asks Hacker to describe his personal achievements that have made life better for others. He finds himself unable to name one and resorts to stonewalling, eventually telling her that her allotted time is up. After she has left, Hacker confesses to his wife that he'd been asked some difficult questions. He is dejected that the last one was so perceptive: what has he achieved? Annie suggests that if he could enact one reform of the civil service
, it would be something. She goes on to propose that he give more top civil service jobs to women. He agrees to try, out of principle. After all, "Principles are excellent vote winners."
The next day, Hacker is in his office with Sarah Harrison, an Under-Secretary, who is proving to be very efficient at her job. The Minister asks her how many women in the civil service are appointed to senior posts. She replies that there are no Permanent Secretaries, four out of 150 Deputy Secretaries and she is one of 27 Under-Secretaries (out of 578). Hacker invites her to suggest a solution, and she advises bringing women who are proven in the private sector straight into the top grades. She leaves, and the Minister is joined by Bernard
, his Principal Private Secretary
, who is followed shortly afterwards by Sir Humphrey Appleby
, his Permanent Secretary
. Hacker proposes to Sir Humphrey that there be a 25% quota of women in senior positions within the next four years. The mandarin begins his customary delaying stratagem, but the Minister sees through it and demands action immediately. Sir Humphrey responds that it will take time, as civil servants are promoted gradually. However, Hacker puts Sarah Harrison's suggestion to him and he is aghast. The Minister reminds him that people in industry change jobs all the time and asks him, why, in fact, there are so few women at the top of the civil service. Sir Humphrey tells him that they "keep leaving to have babies and things." Hacker has decided to promote Sarah Harrison to fill a vacancy in his own department for a Deputy Secretary. While Sir Humphrey believes her to be very able, he refuses to recommend her for promotion, as "it's not her turn yet." He then mounts a vigorous defence of the present system, while also claiming that in no way is he "anti-women". The Minister is exasperated.
Later, Sir Humphrey meets Sir Arnold Robinson, the Cabinet Secretary
, who proposes a three-stage method to block Hacker's plan. Sir Humphrey must first lecture him on the subject until he loses interest in it. If that fails, the Minister must be informed that it has upset the trade union
s. Finally, as a last resort, Sir Humphrey must let slip to Mrs Hacker that Sarah Harrison is rather attractive. Sir Arnold intends to mobilise the Cabinet
against the "quota nonsense".
Back in Hacker's office, Sir Humphrey breezes in full of confidence that he can stop the Minister's scheme. Although he still cannot convince him, their meeting is interrupted by the arrival of Annie Hacker, whom Sir Humphrey invites to one side for a sherry. He takes the opportunity to implement stage three of Sir Arnold's advice.
Sir Arnold later chairs a meeting of the Permanent Secretaries to discuss the problem. It seems that they are all in favour — to a man — of the principle of equal opportunities, but each department appears to present unique difficulties. Sir Humphrey observes that one couldn't, for example, promote a woman to be Head of Security
, since 'M' would have to become 'F' . As regards the quota, Sir Humphrey is resolutely against it. In his view, they should always have the right to appoint "the best man for the job, regardless of sex." Sir Arnold instructs his subordinates to draw their ministers' attention to the obvious predicaments within their own departments.
Hacker returns to his office after the latest Cabinet meeting. He is vexed that all the ministers agreed with the quota in principle, but then said that it wouldn't work in their own departments. He adds that his wife is no longer supporting him in the matter, despite it being her suggestion in the first place. Sir Humphrey finds these developments "extraordinary". Hacker asks Sarah Harrison in and offers her the post of Deputy Secretary. However, she informs them that she is resigning from the civil service to join a merchant bank as a director. She states that she wants achievement, rather than mere activity. Hacker can't conceal his disappointment and tells her of the battle he has fought for her promotion. In reply, she bluntly tells him that she has no wish to be part of a 25% quota, and that the Minister is "just as paternalist and chauvinist as the rest of them." Hacker simply mutters: "Women!"
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 11 November 1982.
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 at home, giving an interview to a young girl named Kathy, who is writing an article for her school magazine. His wife, Annie, enters the room to remind her husband to watch a TV programme that evening. It features a woman MP
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
, whom Hacker refers to as a "rampaging feminist". Kathy then changes her line of questioning, and asks 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....
if he thinks that women are the "exploited sex". He is sure that it is no longer the case, despite the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
overwhelmingly comprising men. Finally, Kathy asks Hacker to describe his personal achievements that have made life better for others. He finds himself unable to name one and resorts to stonewalling, eventually telling her that her allotted time is up. After she has left, Hacker confesses to his wife that he'd been asked some difficult questions. He is dejected that the last one was so perceptive: what has he achieved? Annie suggests that if he could enact one reform of the civil service
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...
, it would be something. She goes on to propose that he give more top civil service jobs to women. He agrees to try, out of principle. After all, "Principles are excellent vote winners."
The next day, Hacker is in his office with Sarah Harrison, an Under-Secretary, who is proving to be very efficient at her job. The Minister asks her how many women in the civil service are appointed to senior posts. She replies that there are no Permanent Secretaries, four out of 150 Deputy Secretaries and she is one of 27 Under-Secretaries (out of 578). Hacker invites her to suggest a solution, and she advises bringing women who are proven in the private sector straight into the top grades. She leaves, and the Minister is joined by 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:...
, his 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...
, who is followed shortly afterwards by 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...
, his 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...
. Hacker proposes to Sir Humphrey that there be a 25% quota of women in senior positions within the next four years. The mandarin begins his customary delaying stratagem, but the Minister sees through it and demands action immediately. Sir Humphrey responds that it will take time, as civil servants are promoted gradually. However, Hacker puts Sarah Harrison's suggestion to him and he is aghast. The Minister reminds him that people in industry change jobs all the time and asks him, why, in fact, there are so few women at the top of the civil service. Sir Humphrey tells him that they "keep leaving to have babies and things." Hacker has decided to promote Sarah Harrison to fill a vacancy in his own department for a Deputy Secretary. While Sir Humphrey believes her to be very able, he refuses to recommend her for promotion, as "it's not her turn yet." He then mounts a vigorous defence of the present system, while also claiming that in no way is he "anti-women". The Minister is exasperated.
Later, Sir Humphrey meets Sir Arnold Robinson, 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...
, who proposes a three-stage method to block Hacker's plan. Sir Humphrey must first lecture him on the subject until he loses interest in it. If that fails, the Minister must be informed that it has upset the trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
s. Finally, as a last resort, Sir Humphrey must let slip to Mrs Hacker that Sarah Harrison is rather attractive. Sir Arnold intends to mobilise the Cabinet
Cabinet of the United Kingdom
The Cabinet of the United Kingdom is the collective decision-making body of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, composed of the Prime Minister and some 22 Cabinet Ministers, the most senior of the government ministers....
against the "quota nonsense".
Back in Hacker's office, Sir Humphrey breezes in full of confidence that he can stop the Minister's scheme. Although he still cannot convince him, their meeting is interrupted by the arrival of Annie Hacker, whom Sir Humphrey invites to one side for a sherry. He takes the opportunity to implement stage three of Sir Arnold's advice.
Sir Arnold later chairs a meeting of the Permanent Secretaries to discuss the problem. It seems that they are all in favour — to a man — of the principle of equal opportunities, but each department appears to present unique difficulties. Sir Humphrey observes that one couldn't, for example, promote a woman to be Head of Security
Director-General of MI5
The Director General of the Security Service is the head of the Security Service , the United Kingdom's internal counter-intelligence and security agency...
, since 'M' would have to become 'F' . As regards the quota, Sir Humphrey is resolutely against it. In his view, they should always have the right to appoint "the best man for the job, regardless of sex." Sir Arnold instructs his subordinates to draw their ministers' attention to the obvious predicaments within their own departments.
Hacker returns to his office after the latest Cabinet meeting. He is vexed that all the ministers agreed with the quota in principle, but then said that it wouldn't work in their own departments. He adds that his wife is no longer supporting him in the matter, despite it being her suggestion in the first place. Sir Humphrey finds these developments "extraordinary". Hacker asks Sarah Harrison in and offers her the post of Deputy Secretary. However, she informs them that she is resigning from the civil service to join a merchant bank as a director. She states that she wants achievement, rather than mere activity. Hacker can't conceal his disappointment and tells her of the battle he has fought for her promotion. In reply, she bluntly tells him that she has no wish to be part of a 25% quota, and that the Minister is "just as paternalist and chauvinist as the rest of them." Hacker simply mutters: "Women!"
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 |
| Eleanor Bron Eleanor Bron Eleanor Bron is an English stage, film and television actress and author.-Early life and family:Bron was born in 1938 in Stanmore, Middlesex, to a Jewish family of Eastern European origin... |
Sarah Harrison |
| 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 |
| Diana Hoddinott Diana Hoddinott Diana Hoddinott is an English actress. She was born to Winifred Doris, née Dibble and Alan Hoddinott , who married in 1934 in Langport.... |
Annie Hacker |
| Talla Hayes | Kathy |
| Richard Simpson | Permanent Secretary, Home Office |
| Peter Howell Peter Howell (actor) Peter Howell is a British actor.A regular in 1950s television hospital drama series Emergency Ward 10, he has made guest appearances in The Avengers, The Prisoner, and Doctor Who. He played the prison governor in the 1979 film Scum. He played Saruman in the 1981 BBC Radio production of The Lord of... |
Permanent Secretary, FCO |
| Jeffrey Segal Jeffrey Segal Jeffrey Segal is a British actor.He made his first screen appearance, as an extra, in the film Jud Süß .From the early 1960s onwards he appeared in many British TV series, notably Callan, Z-Cars, The Protectors, Terry and June, The Pallisers and Dad's Army.He played the part of 'Arthur Perkins'... |
Permanent Secretary, MoD |
| Donald Pelmear | Permanent Secretary, DHSS |