I was hesitating, wondering whether I should launch into a defence of my own recent conduct, pointing out that there were severe limits to ones achievements when one has a Minister such as Hacker to contend with, when Arnold added: Dont try to persuade me, Humphrey, the die is cast. I shall retire six months early, in the New Year.
I reflected how fortunate it was that thirty years of training in Civil Service methods had triumphed over my initial impetuosity. So long as there is anything to be gained by saying nothing, it is always better to say nothing than anything.
But why was Arnold taking me into his confidence? The answer became clear immediately. My successor, Humphrey, has to be someone who can be firm with our political masters.
I hastened to agree. We cant put up with too much nonsense from that lot. I said as much. But we both agreed that Sir Arnolds successor, while not putting up with any nonsense, had to be tactful, suave, charming and emollient. But, above all, he has to be sound. There was no doubt in my mind that I embodied all the necessary qualities in full measure. And indeed, Arnold went on to say that it is his heavy duty to convey a recommendation to the Prime Minister as to which of the present Permanent Secretaries best meets these stringent criteria. [A small committee, including the Permanent Secretary of the Treasury and the Head of the Civil Service would have made this recommendation. In practice, the Prime Minister was likely to follow Sir Arnolds recommendation, especially if Sir Arnold ensured that his colleagues endorsed it Ed.]
He came to the point. He remarked that in his job, the problem isnt really finding the answers. Its finding the questions. We need the man who can find the key questions.
So this was it! This was my test. As Id been given no warning of this oral examination I had to think fast. Fortunately I collected my thoughts in a matter of moments, and the key question popped into my mind.
But it had to be asked with taste and discretion. So I remarked that I was changing the subject completely, and then enquired what he intended to do when he retired.
Arnold was delighted. He congratulated me on asking such a good question. But it was immediately clear to me that there would be ways in which he might serve the country [i.e. jobs that Sir Arnold might pick up Ed.] that his successor as Cabinet Secretary might persuade him to undertake [i.e. slip his way Ed.]
It transpired that Sir Arnold had given this matter some thought already, and had been offered the Chairmanship of Banque Occidentale, plus directorships of BP and IBM.
However, I made careful notes of a few other ways in which Sir Arnold suggested that he could serve his country, and which were on his mind. The Chairmanship of the Royal Opera House Trust is coming up next year, and the Chancellorship of Oxford. We agreed that the Deputy Chairmanship of the Bank of England would be a challenge, as would being Head of the Security Commission. And the Presidency of the Anglo-Caribbean Association would also give Arnold a chance to be of service. Especially in the winter months.
I assured Arnold that any successor worth his salt would be able to arrange those matters satisfactorily. I could tell that Arnold found my positive approach extremely reassuring.
However, it transpired that he had other matters on his mind as well. He was concerned that certain advice that he might have given the Prime Minister in the past could, if it comes out, be misinterpreted. [In other words, could be understood perfectly Ed.] Naturally we are, all of us, in the Service, concerned that advice that one has given could be misunderstood if it were to come into the public domain.
Arnold was particularly concerned because it appears that papers exist recording his reasonable and sensible advice to use troops during strikes, and suggesting the equally reasonable precaution that such troops should be armed. Of course, taken out of context [i.e. placed in the correct context Ed.] such information could be damaging to him.
He has also, in the distant past, suggested we ensure that sanctions against Rhodesia [as it was then Ed.] never happened, and in the recent past he proposed negotiations with South Africa about reactivating the Simonstown naval base. This was all perfectly sensible strategically, and of course would be a great help with the Falklands. But it could be an embarrassment for somebody in line for the Secretary-Generalship of the Commonwealth. And I was able to confirm that Arnold would be in line for the Secretary-Generalship of the Commonwealth.
He was gratified, especially when I told him that in my opinion the right successor would see no problem in keeping the relevant files under wraps.
So we reverted to the original subject of discussion, namely Arnolds retirement. He told me that he could now see his way forward to placing my name at the head of the list. Good news -- and better news followed at once, as careful questioning elicited the hint that there would be no other names on that list.
As I left, on cloud nine, Arnold mentioned that he had already accepted the Presidency of the Campaign for Freedom of Information. I was rather stunned. But then I quickly saw the wisdom of it. The Campaign is always very popular with the Opposition. And todays Opposition is tomorrows government. Also his Presidency of the Campaign will ensure that the Freedom of Information is not abused. Hopefully he will be in a good position to help keep those files of advice given to the PM -- and to Ministers -- under wraps.
We drank a toast to the continuity of sound government, and to freedom of information -- whenever its in the national interest.
[Appleby Papers/PPC/MPAA]
[Hackers diary continues -- Ed.]
December 9th
The day began with a frightful misunderstanding about Humphreys future. The resulting embarrassment could have been ghastly, but for the fact that I covered up the situation with my customary skill.
He came in to see me first thing this morning. He told me that he had very grave news, and he said it in a profoundly sepulchral tone. In fact, the misunderstanding that ensured came about entirely because he speaks in gobbledegook instead of plain English.
Later today I asked Bernard what Humphrey had said, and he remembered it perfectly. Apparently Humphrey had said gravely that the relationship, which I might tentatively venture to aver has not been without a degree of reciprocal utility and even perhaps occasional gratification, is approaching the point of irreversible bifurcation and, to put it briefly, is in the propinquity of its ultimate regrettable termination.
I asked him if he would be so kind as to summarise what hes just said in words of one syllable.
He nodded in sad acquiescence. Im on my way out, he explained.
I couldnt believe my ears. Did he mean what I thought he meant?
There comes a time, he continued, when one must accept what fate has in store, when one passes on
Passes on? I interrupted softly, aghast.
to pastures new, he continued, perhaps greener, to put oneself finally at the service of one who is greater than any of us.
I was shattered. I told him I was frightfully sorry. He thanked me. I asked him if his wife knew. He said that, apparently, she had suspected for some time. I asked him when they had told him. He said this afternoon. Finally, I asked how long theyd given him.
Just a few weeks, he said.
I was appalled. And very moved. It did strike me at the time that he was being awfully brave, but I just thought he was being awfully brave.
Humphrey, youre being awfully brave, I said.
Well, I am a little anxious, I must admit -- one is always frightened of the unknown -- but I have faith. Somehow Ill muddle through.