303

SECRET
POLICY COMMITTEE
23rd July 1940

Present:

D.D.G.

D.S.

P.S.

Lord Perth

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Kirkpatrick

Mr. Macadam

Mr. Wellington

Mr. Peake

Mr. Gates

Mr. Ryan

Mr. Wiltshire (Secretary)

1. RUMOUR CAMPAIGN

The criticisms which had been directed towards the Rumour Campaign were discussed. It was generally felt that the Campaign had been unlucky in that it had coincided with the Press which had adopted a hostile attitude over the censorship questions and moreover a number of prosecutions were taking place which were connected in the public mind with the Ministry of Information. The [illegible] Committee were in favour of continuing the Campaign, but Mr. Nicolson was inclined to a contrary opinion. It was generally agreed that if the prosecutions could be damped down, the question of dropping the Campaign would not perhaps at present arise. The Deputy Secretary said that the Treasury had expressed some doubts about the expense of the newspaper campaign. There was also a certain amount of public criticism that the Ministry was indulging in “fussing”. It was generally agreed that the expression “The Silent Column” should be gradually abandoned. The B.B.C. should continue to give some explanations of the purpose of the Campaign, in particular, why persons should not mention where their relatives are stationed. It was also necessary to correct the opposite error which caused some people to complain when names were given in a harmless connection, e.g. J.B. Priestley and Margate.

The view was expressed that in spite of lively criticism the Campaign should not be considered unsuccessful. People had reacted strongly and had been encouraged to think about the subject. The fact that they criticised the methods adopted did not necessarily mean that they would not take the lesson to heart.

It was thought desirable to ask the Minister to send in a paper to the Cabinet on the question of prosecutions and Mr. Macadam undertook to have one prepared.

2. R.I.O.’S MEETING

Mr. Macadam reported the general lines of the R.I.O.’s meeting on Friday, July 19th. Referring to the objections voiced by some Members of Parliament to speakers entering into their constituencies, he said that the point had nearly been reached at which the sitting member would have the right of veto. Mr. Nicolson said that he thought it very important that all three parties should agree to this line.

Mr. Macadam said that there was a certain amount of feeling that a further Front Bench meeting campaign should be adopted, and that the speeches should be broadcast. The Committee 304 generally were not impressed by the proposal; in particular, if the Ministers spoke only extracts from their speeches should be broadcast.

3. FRENCH MERCHANT SEAMEN

Mr. Macadam reported that there were about 2,000 French merchant seamen waiting to be repatriated at the White City. It was very necessary that something should be done to improve their comfort, about which they were complaining. It was agreed that this should be referred to Mr. Harvey.

4. LORD SWINTON'S COMMITTEE

The Deputy Secretary reported that Lord Swinton's Committee had retreated from their previous position as to prohibiting fly posting and had now agreed to permit fly posting until it was banned by the Regional Commissioners. They would, however, like to ask that the public should be prepared by suitable inclusions in the “What do I do” campaign on the B.B.C, and in particular by the inclusion of some material in a Postscript. The Committee felt that it would be injudicious to take any action at the moment and it was agreed that something should now be drafted and sent to Lord Swinton with the promise that it would be used by the Minister or in another way when necessary.

5. RECOGNITION OF THE CZECH NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

It was reported that there would be a public announcement to-day, and it was arranged that some reference should be made in the six o'clock news to-morrow.