SECRET
POLICY COMMITTEE
Thursday, May 29th 1941

Present:

D.G.

D.D.G

P.S.

Sir Maurice Peterson

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Radcliffe

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Gates

Mr. Macgregor

Mr. Ogilvie

Mr. Ryan

Mr. Valentine Williams

Mr. Herbert

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

1. The minutes of the meeting on 22nd May were taken as read and approved.

2. B.B.C. ACCOMMODATION

The Parliamentary Secretary referred to the poor conditions in which speakers from Bush House had to do their work and asked whether it would not be possible for the B.B.C. to use at the present time rooms earmarked for the Air Ministry on the understanding that the rooms could be released when required. Mr. Valentine Williams also raised the question whether the present geographical distribution of the European News Sections was satisfactory.

Mr. Ogilvie said that Mr. Jardine Brown had seen Lord Reith two days previously on the point raised by the Parliamentary Secretary and he promised to find out what had been the result of the interview. He mentioned, however, that in the conditions described it would not be possible to use the rooms for operational purposes. He added that a decision had been taken after due deliberation that the news elements concerned in services to Europe should be kept together, rather than keep together all those concerned with one language.

Reference was made to a letter from the Ministry of Works about accommodation at Bush House and it was agreed that Mr. Macgregor should 428 -2-discuss it with Mr. Bamford and then with the Parliamentary Secretary; Mr. Ogilvie meantime would enquire about the interview with Lord Reith.

3. BROADCAST BY THE QUEEN

The D.G. reported a request through the American Division for a broadcast by the Queen and it was agreed that in view of earlier expressions of policy on the part of the Government relating to thanking America it would be as well to ensure that the Prime Minister was aware of the proposal before it was carried out.

4. “IF HITLER COMES”

Mr. Ryan reported that in accordance with a request from the Minister that wide publicity should be given to this book the B.B.C. were referring to it that night in a book talk. It was agreed that publicity on the scale of a postscript should not be given to the book unless the D.G. after discussion with the Minister asked for it.