Yes, Minister

Pruning the Civil Service is a great political platform for the Minister but the idea is deeply upsetting to Sir Humphrey Appleby. Perhaps he can find a way to make the Minister abandon the policy.

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 is for Trappist monks.

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.

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.

The Minister is puzzled by Sir Humphrey's evasion of questions about a Departmental construction project in the Midlands. When the awful truth is revealed, the Minister finds himself implicated as well.

A newly built hospital has a full administrative staff but no patients due to a government imposed reduction in the recruitment of medical staff. For some reason, Sir Humphrey does not want this particular boat rocked.

At the Ministry the conflicts of interest continue when the Minister is asked to approve the departmental recommendations for the honours list. Meanwhile, Sir Humphrey tackles government policy on the tuition fees of overseas students.

The Minister is shocked to learn that his Department is responsible for supplying all the government's electronic surveillance gear. After all, his campaign was based in part on his opposition to bugging and phone tapping.

The British Chemical Corporation, with the backing of Sir Humphrey, intend to produce a dangerous chemical at their Merseyside factory. When the people protest Jim must arrive at an appropriate compromise.

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.

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.