Yes minister how many episodes

Top rated TV Episodes Browse episodes. Top Top-rated. Trailer Yes Minister German Trailer. Photos Top cast Edit.

Ian Lavender Dr. Richard Cartwright as Dr. Richard Cartwright. More like this. Watch options. Storyline Edit. He tries to do something and cut government waste, but he is continually held back by the smart and wily Permanent Secretary of the Department, Sir Humphrey Appleby. Private secretary Bernard Woolley is caught in the middle, between his political master, and his civil service boss.

Did you know Edit. Trivia The writers had advisors who worked within the government and many of the stories were based on real situations. For example, in season three, episode four, "The Moral Dimension", they go to an Arab country where alcohol is not allowed, and so they set up a "communications room" in the embassy where they keep a stash of booze so they could slip out and have a drink. This really happened. Goofs During the train sequence in "The Official Visit", a close-up shows that the warning notice on the wall is written in gibberish.

While on an official visit to a Middle East sheikdom to finalize a major contract for a UK firm, the Minister manages to get himself into trouble on several fronts.

Learning that the country is dry, he arranges for liquor to be available on the sly. When they are presented with an expensive 17th century antique bowl, Mrs.

When the Minister learns that bribes were likely paid to obtain the contract, he insists that there be a full public inquiry. A little reminder from S3, Ep5. The Minister yet again finds himself in it when the Cabinet Secretary and the Prime Minister's senior advisor con him into taking responsibility for developing a national transportation policy.

The whole thing has been tried before and with little success. Sir Humphrey is aghast that the Minister took this on without first discussing with him and at the first meeting of officials, the Minister also realizes that he has made a grievous error.

Their first attempt to rid themselves of the commitment fails but their second attempt proves somewhat more successful. S3, Ep6. The Minister finds himself in a bit of bind when an army officer tells him privately that British-made weapons are finding their way into the hands of Italian Red terrorists. Hacker is very keen to do something about this and despite Sir Humphrey's view that this is not their problem, decides to inform the Prime Minister. The PM's office doesn't want to hear about it but the Minister has now painted himself into a corner as the only member of the government who knows about this situation.

Bernard Woolley's suggestion of using the "Rhodesia Solution" provides him with S3, Ep7. When the Minister is approached by a group of local constituents seeking government funding for their nearly bankrupt local football club, he suggests that they sell the local museum to private interests and use the proceeds for their sports team.

Sir Humphrey - a patron of the arts and an avid opera-goer - is aghast at the prospect of taking funds from the arts and transferring it to sports. He and his fellow permanent secretaries come up with an ideal solution - make Jim Hacker the Minister responsible for the arts.

S3, Ep8. He explains that they should measure success by activity, not by results. At the Ministry the conflicts of interest continue when the Minister is asked to approve the departmental recommendations for the honours list, and Sir Humphrey tackles government policy on the tuition fees of overseas students. Maybe a boozy dinner will help Jim come to a decision about what he should do.

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. Jim is later shocked to hear his name is on the International Freedom Army death list. 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.

Can he find a way to get round Sir Humphrey? The Minister is upset at rumours of a Cabinet reshuffle. Jim considers a move to work in Europe, something he previously considered nothing more than a gravy train. Sir Humphrey is equally worried because if the Minister should go, there might be a move 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. The key to getting a Minister's signature on an order is to catch him when he's in a hurry. The conflict between politicians and civil servants takes centre stage when the Minister and Sir Humphrey appear before a select committee scrutinizing the functions of the Department of Administrative Affairs.

The Prime Minister wants budget cuts, but Sir Humphrey is against them. Where do Jim's loyalties lie? The Minister decides there should be more women occupying top jobs in the Civil Service, which raises some eyebrows at the Ministry - particularly those of Sir Humphrey.

In the reorganisation of government administration, the Minister is tasked with reducing local government bureaucracy. During a radio interview, it becomes apparent that he does not realise just how daunting this task will be. Sir Humphrey wants a local authority disciplined because they have omitted some required paper work. The Minister does not wish to comply, as the local authority is one of the most efficient in the country. The Minister leads a delegation to the Persian Gulf with Sir Humphrey on hand as his guide, where he learns the difference between a bribe and an 'extra-contractual payment'.

The Minister is given the job of implementing an integrated national transport policy. Sir Humphrey endeavours to protect him from the potential nightmare of such a task.