246

POLICY COMMITTEE
18th June 1940

Present:

D.G.

D.D.G.

D.S.

Lord Perth

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Kirkpatrick

Mr. Macadam

Mr. Peake

Mr. Wellington

P.P.S.

Mr. Gates

Mr. Tree

Mr. Wiltshire (Secretary)

1. MONTHLY REPORT

The Director General reported that we had been informed by the Cabinet Office that the Ministry's periodical report to the Cabinet was no longer required.

2. NOTE ON MATTERS CONNECTED WITH CALLING UP OF MEN

The Director General referred to a note by Mr. Waterfield on calling up of men and other questions including petrol rationing and luxury spending. It had been given to the Minister and was not at present available for the Policy Committee.

3. POST WAR POLICY

The Director General raised the question whether opportunity should be taken of an all-party Government to make some promise as to social reforms after the war. Possibly, for example, full enquiry into all social abuses might be promised. A general discussion ensued. Mr. Kirkpatrick thought that something based on the acceptance of one of Mr. Greenwood's statements to the effect that the present order was changing might be made. He thought the aim should be to make it possible for everyone to be employed to the best advantage for the country according to his abilities. Mr. Tree thought that there should be a strong committee on youth questions. Mr. R.A. Butler had given the subject much thought. Mr. Nicolson thought the suggestion good and observed that Mr. Kenneth Lindsay, who was also an authority on youth movements, was writing a Penguin which would be ready very shortly. When he had finished this he might be free, and if the Ministry contemplated any movement Mr. Lindsay would be well qualified to help us. Sir Kenneth Clark thought that the Cabinet might find it difficult to make a declaration or manifesto at the moment, but an alternative would be to arrange that Ministers when they spoke should always introduce the theme. It was, however, pointed out that young people were not likely to accept advice from Ministers, and the better approach was to induce them to generate ideas themselves. Sir Walter Monckton thought that Mr. Kirkpatrick's line might be followed. We should call attention to the inevitable sacrifice which led to opportunities. Our aim should be to redress grievances and inequalities and to create new opportunities. It was suggested that the Planning Committee should draw up a short statement on these lines. Sir Kenneth 247 Clark thought that it would prove difficult, and finally it was agreed that he and Mr. Nicolson should consult and endeavour to write something on these lines.

4. PROGRESS OF PLANNING COMMITTEE

Sir Kenneth Clark reported that the Planning Committee had met the day before, but had felt that they could not go ahead until they had heard what the Prime Minister was going to say to-day. He thought it very important that the people should feel that they were not out of touch with the Government, and that the Government should feel that it was in touch with the people. The Home Intelligence Reports had shown the need for frequent authoritative statements of the facts.

5. ANGLO-FRENCH MEETINGS .

Mr. Macadam suggested that the programme of Anglo-French meetings required consideration. The Committee agreed that nothing could be done until the situation was clarified, and that Mr. Macadam should call off any such meetings in the meantime, unless he could obtain Poles instead.

6. PREPARATION FOR BOMBING

It was noted that the evacuation scheme discussed by the Cabinet the day before appeared to be a scheme which could not be put into operation immediately, and the connection between the publication of this scheme and the publication of material about bombing was not apparent. The Air Ministry was anxious to get on with the issue of this material. The Ministry of Home Security demurred. It was agreed that the Minister of Information would have to carry the Air Minister, but some doubt was expressed on the ultimate responsibility of the Ministry of Home Security in this matter. The Director General undertook to approach the Minister again and to speak to Sir Thomas Gardner.