Hacker:
Europe is a community of nations, dedicated towards one goal.
Sir Humphrey:
[laughs moderately]
Hacker:
May we share the joke, Humphrey?
Sir Humphrey:
Oh Minister, let's look at this objectively. It is a game played for national interests, and always was. Why do you suppose we went into it?
Hacker:
To strengthen the brotherhood of free Western nations.
Sir Humphrey:
Oh really. We went in to screw the French by splitting them off from the Germans.
Hacker:
So why did the French go into it, then?
Sir Humphrey:
Well, to protect their inefficient farmers from commercial competition.
Hacker:
That certainly doesn't apply to the Germans.
Sir Humphrey:
No, no. They went in to cleanse themselves of genocide and apply for readmission to the human race.
Hacker:
I never heard such appalling cynicism! At least the small nations didn't go into it for selfish reasons.
Sir Humphrey:
Oh really? Luxembourg is in it for the perks; the capital of the EEC, all that foreign money pouring in.
Hacker:
Very sensible central location.
Sir Humphrey:
With the administration in Brussels and the Parliament in Strasbourg? Minister, it's like having the House of Commons in Swindon and the Civil Service in Kettering!
