[There are two official replies to the Minister's correspondence.]
JHJim Hacker
What's the difference?
Well, "under consideration" means "we've lost the file"; "under active consideration" means "we're trying to find it".
“The Official Visit” · Season 1, Episode 2
In this episode: James Hacker (3), Bernard Woolley (2), Sir Humphrey Appleby (1)
[The President of Buranda plans a speech urging the Scots and Irish to fight against "British colonialism".]
Humphrey, do you think it is a good idea to issue a statement?
Well, Minister, in practical terms we have the usual six options. One: do nothing. Two: issue a statement deploring the speech. Three: lodge an official protest. Four: cut off aid. Five: break off diplomatic relations. And six: declare war.
Which should be it?
Well, if we do nothing, that means we implicitly agree with the speech. If we issue a statement, we'll just look foolish. If we lodge a protest, it'll be ignored. We can't cut off aid, because we don't give them any. If we break off diplomatic relations, then we can't negotiate the oil rig contracts. And if we declare war, it might just look as though we were over-reacting.
Bernard, this government is here to govern, not merely preside like our predecessors did. When a country is going downhill, it is time for someone to get into the driving seat, and put his foot on the accelerator.
I think you mean the brake.
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