Jim Hacker meets with the government Chief Whip and Party Chairman. They are both concerned at the lack of progress made with education policy. They warn that if nothing is done, Hacker may be heading for Opposition.

The Prime Minister has sent for Sir Humphrey Appleby. When the Cabinet Secretary enquires of Bernard the reason, his subordinate explains that the Party Chairman has presented a paper to Hacker that details the current disintegration of comprehensive education. Sir Humphrey vehemently disagrees, as in his view the system does all that is asked of it: i.e., it keeps the children out of mischief while their parents are at work. He further explains that educational standards have nothing to do with it because the sole reason for the policy was to remove class distinction within the teaching profession, and make all salaries comparable. The civil service has apparently maintained the status quo by telling Labour and Conservative governments that selective education is either divisive or expensive respectively. The mandarin adds that this keeps the common people content while the ruling class educate their own children privately.

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