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SECRET
POLICY COMMITTEE
27th June 1940

Present:

D.G.

D.D.G.

D.S.

P.S.

Colonel Scorgie

Lord Perth

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Kirkpatrick

Mr. Macadam

Mr. Peake

Mr. Wellington

P.P.S.

Mr. Gates

Mr. Ogilvie

Sir Stephen Tallents

Sir Noel Ashbridge

Mr. Ryan

Mr. Valentine Williams

Mr. Wiltshire (Secretary)

1. DUTCH AND NORWEGIAN BROADCASTING

Mr. Ogilvie referred to the suggestion that times should be set apart for Dutch and Norwegian broadcasts under the control of the Dutch and Norwegian authorities. He pointed out that the proposals raised certain points. (a) Security points i. e. possible use of codes. For this reason he thought that the approval of the Swinton Committee should be obtained. (b) that there would be further requests from these authorities. (c) That there would be requests from other countries which it would be hard to resist. (d) That feature broadcasts in Norwegian would tend to take people away from the Norwegian bulletins. He was on the whole inclined to suggest such free time as was given might be within the existing framework. Sir Stephen Tallents dealt in more detail with these points. He thought there should be a scrutiny of the texts by competent authorities. There was also the difficulty that the value of such broadcasts would be lost unless they occurred at good times of the day.

Mr. Kirkpatrick thought that most of these points were met. It was not at present proposed to go outside the present allotted times, except perhaps in the case of the Dutch who had a small allowance. He emphasised that the absence of the idea was that the Dutch programmes should be obviously concocted by the Dutch and not under our direct control. He was satisfied that they were prepared to put across strong and effective propaganda, and he thought that that should be the criterion for other countries. We should say to the Norwegians that unless they were prepared to give out similar propaganda we should not give them facilities. He thought we should be able to have six hours to scrutinise scripts. The arrangements were purely provisional depending on the political situation, and in the case of the Dutch it was proposed to ask for a quid pro quo in the use of the station at Curacoa.

After further discussion it was decided that the B.B.C. should be asked to place the suggestion before Lord Swinton's Committee, and at the same time Mr. Kirkpatrick undertook to give the Ministry of Information representative on the Swinton Committee, Mr. Herbert, a short note on the position.

2. SHORT WAVE STATION IN CANADA

The Director General referred to a letter from the B.B.C. suggesting that the time had now come when it might be 264 - 2 -desirable to erect high powered shortwave transmitters in Canada as a link in the Empire chain, and particularly as a standby in case our own transmitters were damaged. Sir Noel Ashbridge said that the proposal would help to fill out a scheme of world coverage. It was suggested that 4 transmitters should be erected, and it was hoped that the B.B.C. might pass on their experience to the Canadian authorities. The battery of transmitters would be capable of reaching Europe, and the design would be the duplicate of that now being used in the South of England. A rough estimate of the cost would be £200,000 to £300,000, with running cost of, say, £50,000 sterling. The Deputy Secretary pointed out that the financial consideration would require thought. It was, however, decided that the technical side should be further elucidated first, and the B.B.C. agreed to put up a scheme in rather fuller detail. Sir Noel Ashbridge observed that there might be objections on the part of the U.S.A. to a large short wave transmitter designed to give out British propaganda.

3. HOME DEFENCE EXECUTIVE

Mr. Waterfield said that a paper had now been received and was being circulated on this subject.

4. NEW BROADCASTING STATION AT ATHLONE

The Deputy Secretary stated that a request had been received through Mr. Dulanty and backed by the Dominions Office for permission to buy apparatus for a larger transmitting station at Athlone. This was to be considered this afternoon at the Additional Transmitter Committee. The general feeling of the Committee was that news from Athlone tended to be biased if anything in favour of the enemy and that there was no reason to give this request a high degree of priority. It was suggested that a demand from Eire should be treated as having priority after Allied demands and before requests from neutrals.

5. CAMPAIGN ON THE RESOURCES OF THE EMPIRE

Sir Kenneth Clark said that the Planning Committee considered that a campaign on the resources of the Empire might be appropriate. They were proposing to gather up material and hand it over to advertising agents. After some discussion it agreed in principle that the scheme should be prepared and we might approach the Treasury on it.

6. NEWS IN GERMAN

Mr. Valentine Williams explained that there was to be an additional news bulletin at 10.30 a.m. broadcast towards the German housewife. In answer to the Director General he said that he thought that Sir Campbell Stuart would wish to have yet more time as he took the view that after home requirements broadcasting to Germany was next in order of importance. He observed that this view was supported by the success of German propaganda in France, which while not apparent during the phase before the French gave up had evidently had a great effect after the French broke down.

7. NEWS FOR FRENCH REFUGEES IN SOUTH-WEST ENGLAND

Mr. Macadam referred to the large concentration of French refugees, civilians and sailors, at a south-west town. The branch officer of the Ministry of Information in that town said that the French were in great need of news, and he asked what sort of news should be given to them. After discussion it was decided that we should base the information given to them on the B.B.C. French bulletins. Mr. Macadam agreed to take up the technical measures with the appropriate Division.

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