SECRET
POLICY COMMITTEE
Thursday, 5th June, 1941

Present

Minister

D.G.

D.D.G.

P.S.

Sir Maurice Peterson

Lord Davidson

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Radcliffe

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Macgregor

Mr. Ogilvie

Sir Noel Ashbridge

Mr. Ryan

Mr. Valentine Williams

Mr. Herbert

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

1. The Minutes of the meeting of the 29th May were taken as read and approved. Mr. Ogilvie reported in regard to (2) that the B.B.C. had been offered and hoped to be able to accept additional accommodation in Bush House.

2. Westinghouse Transmitter

[RC/31/35]

Mr. Macgregor reported that the Crown Agents for the Colonies had been in contact with representatives of the R.C.A. about two transmitters said to be almost ready in the United States. A full report was expected from the Crown Agents that day and when this report had been considered it would be possible to make recommendations. Mr. Macgregor's impression meantime was that these transmitters would be unsuitable for technical reasons.

The Minister said that if they did prove unsuitable consideration ought to be given at once to the question of placing an order through other channels in America.

3. B.B.C. Home News

The Parliamentary Secretary referred to complaints and criticisms he had recently received about the form and presentation of the Home News. 430 -2-He said, he thought it might improve the index system at present in use if a clear distinction were made between the actual news such as communiqués, etc., and news stories. Mr. Ogilvie explained that questions of this sort had been under discussion in the B.B.C. and pointed out that the greater freedom which could be allowed to the Overseas editors explained the more interesting nature of overseas bulletins. He felt that the crux of the matter was that the B.B.C. and the Ministry jointly did not have authority to alter the phrasing of communiqués and official announcements. He agreed with Mr. Herbert that listeners might be given a misleading impression through unfortunate juxtaposition of items which the B.B.C. had no power to change. The Minister accepted Mr. Ogilvie's view and remarked that the problem was part of the general problem of securing adequate control over the issue of news from Service and other Departments.

4. Stories of German Heroism

The Minister remarked that he had recently heard items in news bulletins portraying the heroism of German sailors, doctors, etc., and said he did not consider such stories should be given circulation by the B.B.C.; there was no point in emphasising the fighting qualities of non-Nazis any more than those of Nazis.