The Skeleton in the Cupboard (Yes Minister)
| "The Skeleton in the Cupboard" | |
|---|---|
| Yes Minister episode | |
| Episode no. |
Series 3 Episode 3 |
| Written by |
Antony Jay Jonathan Lynn |
| Produced by | Peter Whitmore |
| Original air date | 25 November 1982 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
|
Ian Lavender |
|
Ian Lavender
Donald Gee
"The Skeleton in the Cupboard" is the seventeenth episode of the BBC comedy series Yes Minister and was first broadcast 25 November 1982.
Jim Hacker is chairing a meeting of his senior officials. One item on the agenda is the disciplinary action to be taken against the South Derbyshire local authority for failing to complete its statutory returns and supply required information. Sir Humphrey Appleby regards this as a serious matter. Around the table, several examples of "incompetence" are given and the Minister wishes to know of any "redeeming features". One of the officials, Dr Cartwright, attempts to interject but Sir Humphrey is quick to stop him. After the meeting, the Permanent Secretary is equally speedy at steering Dr Cartwright out of Hacker's office and the Minister confesses to Bernard, his Principal Private Secretary, that he smells a rat. He decides to "drop in" on Dr Cartwright. Bernard seeks to dissuade him as Sir Humphrey disapproves of ministers "going walkabout". Hacker ignores this advice and goes anyway. Bernard is duty bound to inform Sir Humphrey's office, and it is a mere ten seconds before the mandarin strides in to demand an explanation. He is disturbed that Hacker is "loose in the building" and wishes to know where he is. Bernard is reluctant to betray a confidence but Sir Humphrey, not for the first time, uses his subordinate's civil service career prospects as leverage — forcing Bernard to name Dr Cartwright as a hypothetical example of someone whom the Minister may wish to visit.
Meanwhile, Hacker has sought out Dr Cartwright and is receiving some startling facts about South Derbyshire. It is the most efficient council in the United Kingdom, and the Minister is supposed to be reprimanding it for being the worst. Cartwright gives him some examples of its economies — but then Sir Humphrey bursts in. He cross-examines the Minister over his being there but Hacker is unable to give a convincing excuse. Sir Humphrey requests an immediate meeting with him back upstairs, and Hacker has little option but to comply.
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