Mr. Kirkpatrick observed that the Cairo organisation at present consisted of a press officer attached to the Ambassador with a certain number of subordinate staff and Colonel Thornehill, who was a member of Electra House. Mr. Hodson briefly referred to the most important points of his paper (already circulated). The Director General pointed out that this meant a considerable increase of staff and asked whether one Director such as proposed could deal with the numerous problems relating to different countries. Lord Perth and Mr. Kirkpatrick both felt that there were some difficulties. The Ambassador might find it very embarrassing to have on his staff a man who was responsible both for his own public relations and also worked to the orders of the Ministry of Information in relation to neighbouring countries. He thought that Professor Rushbrook-Williams, who had recently returned, should be carefully consulted. After discussion it was decided to defer consideration until the next day. The second part of Mr. Hodson's paper, which dealt with the Canadian proposal, was discussed. Mr. Hodson agreed that if the bureau was not suitable for directing operations towards the U.S.A., organisation on so large a scale would not be justified. The feasibility of using the Canadian bureau for U.S.A. purposes would largely depend on the result of the first conference between Lord Lothian and Mr. Childs. It was agreed that Mr. Hodson's larger paper should be sent forthwith to Mr. Childs by air mail and that the latter should be asked to report specifically on the proposals as soon as possible.
TREASURY CORRESPONDENCE
(a)
Need for Expediting Public Business
The Director General referred to Sir Horace Wilson's letter dated the 3rd July and observed that the main recommendation appeared to be the avoidance of too much writing and the necessity for subordinate officers to put forward definite recommendations rather than analyses of situations. The Deputy Secretary observed that in so far as this office was concerned he considered that written records were liable to be reduced to the bare minimum or sometimes to be inadequate. He thought that the Office was already carrying out to the full the spirit of the points made. Mr. Nicolson observed that he thought that special attention might be paid to point (3). Agreement on policy appeared to be reached very quickly, but it was not always possible to get action. Arrangements for following up action were referred to, but it was pointed out that such arrangements could not always do more than provide for a check on immediate action. When matters arose which required consideration and
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negotiation within divisions or branches, these divisions or branches had responsibility for continuing action so initiated with proper expedition.
(b)
Aliens and Leakage of Information
The Director General read a further letter from Sir Horace Wilson (copy attached). It was agreed that the Establishment Division should circulate all officers and obtain a return from them saying which of them employed aliens.
3.
L.D.V
.
Mr. Bamford reported that a good deal had been done with the object of meeting the criticism the week before as to the burden which L.D.V. duties laid on members of the staff. In general he thought that the burden had been exaggerated in relation to the rank and file, but that possibly the N.C.O.’s had a rather better case. Out of 678 male members of the staff there were only 162 L.D.V.’s, and on this basis they had to do five hours of day duty per fortnight, and every five weeks a morning or afternoon on Sunday. Night duty was, however, probably the most onerous. The first essential was to make a drive for more recruits. The second possibility was a certain amount of relief suggested by the Treasury. 50 L.D.V.’s from other departments had been offered to assist. Otherwise there was little chance of getting a military guard since the War Office themselves were replacing their own. The other point was to have a guard room outside and thus eliminate one of the posts. It had further been decided to divide the L.D.V. into squads, which would have the effect of enabling each person to know well in advance when he was liable for duty. The result of these arrangements could not yet be apparent, and in the meantime it was important that the staff should continue these useful duties in good spirit.
4.
ANNUAL LEAVE
The Deputy Secretary said that some uncertainty existed about annual leave and for various reasons the Treasury were unwilling to make a definite instruction. It had, however been decided that the office should go on the principle that each officer should get a week's leave between May and September. Odd days on compassionate grounds would be considered on their merits. It was agreed that the Directors should arrange leave within their Divisions on this basis without further instructions.
5.
STAFF
Pursuing the point raised the week before, Mr. Bamford reported that investigation had been made into each of the Divisional staffs, but that generally speaking each Division had put up a good case for retaining, if not increasing, its existing staff, the total number of which now amounted to 1182. Discussing the points of criticism which might be made it was generally agreed that we should have to say (l) why the change in the world situation and restrictions of facilities for propaganda had not resulted in a decrease in staff and (2) whether the output of the Ministry was satisfactory, having regard to the number of persons employed. Lord Perth also considered that the general attack might come on the home front. Newspapers regarded themselves as responsible for maintaining public morale and might endeavour to show that our efforts were extravagant and uneconomical. The Director General explained that he wished to be in a position to assure the Minister that the establishment had been reviewed with these points very much in mind. It
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seemed that this was now being done and, although no striking opportunities for economy were at present revealed, the search should he continued.
6.
PUBLICITY FOR AMERICAN ASSISTANCE
Mr. Macadam referred to correspondence with Dudley House relating to offers of clothing, etc., from America for the benefit of persons whose property was damaged in air raids. The question had arisen whether publicity could be allowed by photographs or other means. After discussion it was agreed that photographs might be taken under our auspices and given to America agents. Our photographers should go down by arrangement to the regions and take photographs on the spot. Mr. Beddington also undertook to see whether a film could not be produced and distributed.
DECISIONS
MEMBER CONCERNED
1. That a copy of Mr. Hodson's paper on the formation of bureaux should be sent by air mail to Mr. Childs.
Mr. Hodson
2. That the Establishment Division should circulate all officers and obtain a return form them saying which of them employed aliens.
Mr. Bamford
3. That Directors should arrange annual leave within their Divisions without further instruction.
4. That photographs might be taken in connection with publicity for American assistance in respect of clothing, etc. for persons whose property was damaged in air raids.
