Mr. Kirkpatrick reported that the French situation was still very confused and nothing definite could he said.
2.
DUTCH AND NORWEGIAN PROPAGANDA
Mr. Kirkpatrick reported that a request had been received from the Dutch and Norwegian authorities, which had been referred to the Minister by Mr. Noel-Baker, for additional facilities for broadcasting in their languages. The Dutch wanted to have a period turned over to them in which they could put out programmes of their own making and could be said to be sent out by the Dutch Government. It was pointed out that at present any material put out by the Dutch Government, so long as it was passed by the Foreign Office, was added to the Dutch bulletin, but Mr. Kirkpatrick thought that this did not meet the point that in order to get full propaganda value the material should be dissociated as far as possible from this Government and associated as far as possible with the Dutch Government. Lord Perth supported this view very strongly. Mr. Wellington pointed out the difficulties of control and of resisting applications from numerous other Governments for similar facilities. It was thought that these difficulties might be taken as they arose. Mr. Kirkpatrick and Mr. Wellington undertook to discuss what approach should be made to the Dutch and Norwegian authorities.
The question was raised whether the constitution of the B.B.C. would allow it to hand over a period of its programme to another Government, and it was decided that should be looked into departmentally.
3.
PHOTOGRAPHS OF AIR RAID DAMAGE
The Parliamentary Secretary referred to a Question for to-day by Mr. Oswald Lewis : “To ask the Minister of Information, if he will consider discouraging the too frequent publication in the press of photographs of damage done by bombs from hostile aeroplanes in this country on the ground that the ground that the repetition of such illustrations day after day is calculated to give an exaggerated impression of German successes and to cause despondency and alarm among the civilian population.” He thought that the House would require some fairly definite answer, particularly in view of the photographs which had appeared that morning. The Director General pointed out that
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we have no authority to censor photographs for reasons other than security. We might, however, be taking further powers. After discussion Mr. Nicolson undertook to redraft the answer and to consult with the Director General on it. Mr. Francis observed that the question was tied up with the present great lack of facilities to obtain photographs of any interest. The newspapers had nothing else to publish but photograph of air raid damage, and photographs of any defence measures which were of the greatest interest to the pub1ic at the present time, were unobtainable, Mr. Maclennan also agreed that the public were not being well treated in these matters. He had noticed a complete absence of military demonstrations, which were very suitable to the present time. After discussion it was agreed that we should endeavour to get improvement in (l) parade of military forces, (2) photographs of defence measures and (3) photographs of Service personalities. Sir Walter Monckton agreed to take this matter up.
4.
SECURITY MEASURES FOR FILMS
Mr. Beddington observed that there was not adequate censorship of imported feature films. A good deal of antiwar American film material had been shown in this country. It was generally agreed that the additional powers which we were now considering with regard to censorship on grounds of prejudice to morale should be extended to this type of film, and it was decided to add a note to this effect to the paper now being drafted for the Cabinet.
It was noted that the British Board of Film Censors was not a suitable body to undertake censorship on grounds of prejudice to morale. It was suggested that possible the Cinematograph Exhibitors’ Association might be suitable, but Sir Kenneth Clark considered that censorship should not fall into the hands of the trade. After discussion it was decided that we should first endeavour to get powers and then the question might arise of inaugurating our own censorship arrangements.
5.
FACILITIES FOR THE U.S.A. COMMENTATORS IN AIR RAIDS
Sir Frederick Whyte said that the U.S.A. correspondents were not now offered special facilities. They wanted as many facilities as they could get, but they did not necessarily wish to deal with the shocking aspect of raids. They wanted to be able to say in broadcasting that evidence of persons as to the effect was in fact confirmed by their own personal experiences.
Mr. Maclennan expressed the view that this country would revolt against making an exhibition of our sufferings from air raids. Various facts were mentioned which tended to operate against our making too strong a view to the U.S.A. of the effects of air raids. Mr. Wellington was in favour of a compromise. He agreed that the three American commentators were extremely reliable and objective and that they should be allowed to interview persons who had actual experience of raids and to add their own comments. It was generally agreed that we should endeavour to obtain these facilities. The Director General agreed to talk with Mr. Braund of the Ministry of Home Security. Sir Walter Monckton added a caveat that, although he was in favour of these facilities, they might have certain reactions on the control of the Press in this country.
6.
OFFERS FROM U.S.A. TO RECEIVE CHILDREN
Mr. Tree reported that Mr. Cross and Mr. Shakespeare were in agreement as to the present position of the immigration
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of children. At present there were from 8,000 to 10,000 applications a day. The Ministry of Shipping thought it would not be able to deal with more than from 8,000 to 10,000 passages a month without disturbance to their plans. The reasons for this were explained. Mr. Hodson observed that they might give rise to great agitation from both sides. The Dominions and the U.S.A. would feel that their efforts were being rejected, and the parents in this country would feel that their hopes had been disappointed. Moreover there was a division of policy since the Government had raised hopes last week, and these were being followed up with the appropriate publicity measures, photographs etc. It would now be necessary to adopt a different line. Sir Walter Monckton and Sir Frederick Whyte thought that we should now see that due attention was given to acknowledging the generosity of the countries which had made offers and that for obvious reasons there would be a limit to be imposed on the offers we could accept. It was finally agreed that we should find out when Mr. Cross was putting the question before the Cabinet and when Mr. Tree had discovered this we should reconsider the question.
7.
USE OF MANPOWER ON TANK TRAPS
Sir Kenneth Clark said that this point which had arisen at the Planning Committee was one of the many which had been made for people to occupy themselves. The Director General asked him to prepare a list of similar points for his use at the week-end.
8.
FABIAN SOCIETY
Mr. Macadam reported that his contact with the Fabian Society had produced several suggestions which were difficult to carry out. They had offered us speakers of an ex-pacifist variety and had offered to place their research departments at our disposal and were also anxious to start up an Anglo-French bulletin and generally to occupy themselves with Anglo-French matters. After discussion it was decided that we could not support the Anglo-French bulletin but we should be glad to use their Speakers and we should remain in touch with them.
At the termination of the proceedings the Director General welcomed Colonel Scorgie who was assuming the office of Deputy Secretary, and he referred in terms of appreciation to Mr. Waterfield's services in that capacity since the inauguration of the Ministry.
DECISIONS
MEMBER CONCERNED
1. That the question of whether the B.B.C. constitution would allow it to hand over a period of its programmes to another Government should be looked into.
2. That we should endeavour to get improvement in the situation with regard to (l) parade of military forces (2) photographs of defence measures and (3) photographs of Service personalities.
Sir Walter Monckton.
3. That a note should be added to the Cabinet Paper now being drafted to the effect that censorship on grounds of prejudice to morale should be extended to films.
Director General
[CN 3/22]
4. That the question of facilities for American commentators in air raids should be discussed with Mr. Braund.
Director General
5. That we should ascertain when Mr. Cross was bringing before the Cabinet the question of immigration of children.
Mr. Tree
6. That a list of suggestions made by the Planning Committee for giving the public work to do should be drawn up.
