Council of Civil Service Unions v Minister for the Civil Service (GCHQ) is a British intelligence agency that provides signals intelligence to the British government and armed forces. Prior to 1983 its existence was not acknowledged, despite the fact that it openly recruited graduates. Following a spy scandal in 1983, the organisation became known to the public, and the government of Margaret Thatcher decided a year later that employees would not be allowed to join a trade union for national security reasons. The Minister for the Civil Service is a position held "ex officio" by the Prime Minister. This was done through an Order in Council, an exercise of the Royal
The Challenge (Yes Minister) government usually rebound on Whitehall departments, which are then also forced to implement them. Sir Humphrey is fully seized of Sir Arnold's aims, but is advised — if things get tricky — to draw the Minister's attention to civil defence: the one area in which national government has little interest. Hacker concludes a meeting in his office, and is approached by one of the participants, Dr. Cartwright, an Under-Secretary who has become an expert in local government (and therefore shall rise no higher in the civil service). He proposes to the Minister that any future local authority projects must list