The Official Visit
Encyclopedia
"The Official Visit" is the second episode of the BBC
comedy series Yes Minister
and was first broadcast 2 March 1980. This was the first episode to feature the animated title sequence
designed by Gerald Scarfe
, and the theme music
composed by Ronnie Hazlehurst
. In this episode, the final ' Yes Minister ' is uttered by Sir Humphrey Appleby.
routine, Hacker
is becoming buried in the amount of correspondence he has to deal with. Bernard
explains to him that he doesn't actually need to examine any of it: it's as simple as transferring it from the in-tray to the out-tray, as the civil service
will take care of all of it. When Hacker then questions the reason for his existence, Bernard replies that the Minister is there to make policy decisions... from time to time.
Sir Humphrey Appleby
arrives with news of an official visit to the United Kingdom
by the president
of Buranda, who will be met by The Queen
. Hacker initially derides Buranda as a "tin pot little African country" but Sir Humphrey admonishes him and explains that it is in fact "resource rich", meaning that in a few years it will be a key provider of oil
. Hacker now decides that the visit will take place in Scotland
, at Holyrood Palace
— ostensibly to save Her Majesty a trip to London
, but in reality to aid his party's chances in three Scottish by-election
s, all of them in marginal seat
s, which he now intends to hold immediately after the visit. Sir Humphrey criticises his Minister for using the situation for political purposes, but then concedes that the reason for the visit is to hopefully secure a contract for off-shore drilling equipment
. Hacker indicates that the best places to see such facilities are in the likes of Aberdeen
and Clydeside
and pointedly remarks that they are unlikely to be found in Hazlemere
. Against Sir Humphrey's wishes, he is determined on his plan. After Sir Humphrey leaves the office, Bernard confides in Hacker that his superior was looking forward to the London embassy dinner, which now in all likelihood won't be happening. He also reveals that Sir Humphrey has a KBE
in the pipeline.
Sir Humphrey meets Sir Frederick Stewart, Permanent Secretary
to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
in the hope that "Jumbo" (as he is known) has been able to dissuade his Minister from adopting Hacker's scheme. However, Sir Frederick believes that in any case the visit may not take place owing to an impending coup d'état
in Buranda.
As Hacker watches television in his office, a news report confirms Sir Frederick's misgivings. However, Hacker confers with Martin, the Foreign Secretary
, and they agree that the invitation must be re-issued to the new president of Buranda — much to Sir Humphrey's dismay.
As the visit goes ahead, Hacker watches the president's televised arrival and is surprised that he recognises him from his student days, when he was known as Charlie Umtali.
On board the train to Scotland, Bernard interrupts Hacker with an urgent message: the Burandan president's impending speech contains some highly inflammatory language which effectively calls on Scottish and Irish Nationalists to rise up against the English. A hurried (and somewhat squashed) meeting in Hacker's sleeper compartment is convened. Sir Frederick surmises that there may be an ulterior motive, and Hacker agrees to meet with the president.
Hacker, with Sir Humphrey in tow, confronts President Selim Mohammed (as he is now known) to discuss the speech. It transpires that the president is seeking an interest-free loan of £50 million to offset any concerns from oil investors at his change of government. He intends to spend this money in the UK, on Clyde-built oil rigs. Hacker is all in favour — in return for the necessary cuts to the speech, and uses the threat of withholding Sir Humphrey's imminent KBE as the means to convince his Permanent Secretary.
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 1980. This was the first episode to feature the animated title sequence
Title sequence
A Title Sequence is the method by which cinematic films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members, or both, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound...
designed by Gerald Scarfe
Gerald Scarfe
Gerald Anthony Scarfe, CBE, RDI, is an English cartoonist and illustrator. He worked as editorial cartoonist for The Sunday Times and illustrator for The New Yorker...
, and the theme music
Theme music
Theme music is a piece that is often written specifically for a radio program, television program, video game or movie, and usually played during the title sequence and/or end credits...
composed by Ronnie Hazlehurst
Ronnie Hazlehurst
Ronald "Ronnie" Hazlehurst was an English composer and conductor who, having joined the BBC in 1961, became its Light Entertainment Musical Director....
. In this episode, the final ' Yes Minister ' is uttered by Sir Humphrey Appleby.
Plot
Having now settled into his MinisterialMinister (government)
A minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....
routine, Hacker
James 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 becoming buried in the amount of correspondence he has to deal with. 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:...
explains to him that he doesn't actually need to examine any of it: it's as simple as transferring it from the in-tray to the out-tray, as 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...
will take care of all of it. When Hacker then questions the reason for his existence, Bernard replies that the Minister is there to make policy decisions... from time to time.
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...
arrives with news of an official visit to the United Kingdom
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...
by the president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of Buranda, who will be met by The Queen
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
. Hacker initially derides Buranda as a "tin pot little African country" but Sir Humphrey admonishes him and explains that it is in fact "resource rich", meaning that in a few years it will be a key provider of oil
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
. Hacker now decides that the visit will take place in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, at Holyrood Palace
Holyrood Palace
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace, is the official residence of the monarch in Scotland. The palace stands at the bottom of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, at the opposite end to Edinburgh Castle...
— ostensibly to save Her Majesty a trip to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, but in reality to aid his party's chances in three Scottish by-election
By-election
A by-election is an election held to fill a political office that has become vacant between regularly scheduled elections....
s, all of them in marginal seat
Marginal seat
A marginal seat, or swing seat, is a constituency held with a particularly small majority in a legislative election, generally conducted under a single-winner voting system. In Canada they may be known as target ridings. The opposite is a safe seat....
s, which he now intends to hold immediately after the visit. Sir Humphrey criticises his Minister for using the situation for political purposes, but then concedes that the reason for the visit is to hopefully secure a contract for off-shore drilling equipment
Drilling rig
A drilling rig is a machine which creates holes or shafts in the ground. Drilling rigs can be massive structures housing equipment used to drill water wells, oil wells, or natural gas extraction wells, or they can be small enough to be moved manually by one person...
. Hacker indicates that the best places to see such facilities are in the likes of Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
and Clydeside
River Clyde
The River Clyde is a major river in Scotland. It is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire....
and pointedly remarks that they are unlikely to be found in Hazlemere
Hazlemere
Hazlemere is a suburb of High Wycombe and a civil parish within Wycombe district in Buckinghamshire, England. It is to the north east of the town along the A404 in the direction of Amersham....
. Against Sir Humphrey's wishes, he is determined on his plan. After Sir Humphrey leaves the office, Bernard confides in Hacker that his superior was looking forward to the London embassy dinner, which now in all likelihood won't be happening. He also reveals that Sir Humphrey has a KBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in the pipeline.
Sir Humphrey meets Sir Frederick Stewart, 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...
to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, commonly called the Foreign Office or the FCO is a British government department responsible for promoting the interests of the United Kingdom overseas, created in 1968 by merging the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Office.The head of the FCO is the...
in the hope that "Jumbo" (as he is known) has been able to dissuade his Minister from adopting Hacker's scheme. However, Sir Frederick believes that in any case the visit may not take place owing to an impending coup d'état
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
in Buranda.
As Hacker watches television in his office, a news report confirms Sir Frederick's misgivings. However, Hacker confers with Martin, the Foreign Secretary
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, commonly referred to as the Foreign Secretary, is a senior member of Her Majesty's Government heading the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and regarded as one of the Great Offices of State...
, and they agree that the invitation must be re-issued to the new president of Buranda — much to Sir Humphrey's dismay.
As the visit goes ahead, Hacker watches the president's televised arrival and is surprised that he recognises him from his student days, when he was known as Charlie Umtali.
On board the train to Scotland, Bernard interrupts Hacker with an urgent message: the Burandan president's impending speech contains some highly inflammatory language which effectively calls on Scottish and Irish Nationalists to rise up against the English. A hurried (and somewhat squashed) meeting in Hacker's sleeper compartment is convened. Sir Frederick surmises that there may be an ulterior motive, and Hacker agrees to meet with the president.
Hacker, with Sir Humphrey in tow, confronts President Selim Mohammed (as he is now known) to discuss the speech. It transpires that the president is seeking an interest-free loan of £50 million to offset any concerns from oil investors at his change of government. He intends to spend this money in the UK, on Clyde-built oil rigs. Hacker is all in favour — in return for the necessary cuts to the speech, and uses the threat of withholding Sir Humphrey's imminent KBE as the means to convince his Permanent Secretary.
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 |
| Tenniel Evans Tenniel Evans -Family:Walter Tenniel Evans was born in Nairobi, Kenya. His middle name derived from the illustrator Sir John Tenniel, a distant relation. His daughter, Serena Evans, is an actress, and his son, Matthew, is a television director.... |
Martin |
| John Savident John Savident John Savident is a British actor, best known for playing the part of Fred Elliott in the soap opera Coronation Street from 1994 to 2006. And also was a frequent guest on Soccer AM alongside fellow actor Jack 'The Rigger' Spooner.... |
Sir Frederick Stewart |
| Thomas Baptiste | President Selim Mohammed |
| Robert Dougall Robert Dougall Robert Dougall MBE was a British broadcaster and ornithologist, mainly known as a newsreader and announcer.-Television news:... |
BBC Newsreader |
| Antony Carrick | Bill Pritchard |
Goofs
- In the sequence in Hacker's sleeping car on the train to Edinburgh, the Fire Safety sign is clearly written in gibberish.
- Bernard emits a barely audible "shit" when he drops his files as he's rushing to board the train.
- If Sir Humphrey has not already received a KBE, he should not be entitled to the title "Sir". However, it is possible that Sir Humphrey was already a Knight of the Bath (KCB) as is customary for senior civil servants, in which case it would be very unlikely that he would ever be awarded a KBE as this would be another honour on the same "level". Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB) would be the most likely higher award he could expect.