Why is it that ministers can't ever go anywhere without their briefs?
It's in case they get caught with their trousers down.
“A Question of Loyalty” · Season 2, Episode 7
In this episode: Sir Humphrey Appleby (3), James Hacker (3), Bernard Woolley (1)
[Standard excuses when faced with serious allegations]
There's the excuse we used for the Munich Agreement: it occurred before certain important facts were known and couldn't happen again.
What important facts?
Well, that Hitler wanted to conquer Europe.
I thought everybody knew that.
Not the Foreign Office.
[Why has the Minister been invited to Number 10?]
Perhaps it is just for a drink, Minister.
Don't be silly, Humphrey. They don't ask you to Number 10 for a drink just because they think you're thirsty!
It's not for me to comment on government policy. You must ask the Minister.
BOBetty Oldham
Look, Sir Humphrey, whatever we ask the Minister, he says is an administrative question for you, and whatever we ask you, you say is a policy question for the Minister. How do you suggest we find out what is going on?
Yes, yes, yes, I do see that there is a real dilemma here. In that, while it has been government policy to regard policy as a responsibility of Ministers and administration as a responsibility of Officials, the questions of administrative policy can cause confusion between the policy of administration and the administration of policy, especially when responsibility for the administration of the policy of administration conflicts, or overlaps with, responsibility for the policy of the administration of policy.
BOBetty Oldham
Well, that's a load of meaningless drivel. [pause] Isn't it?
It's not for me to comment on government policy. You must ask the Minister.
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