Arising out of the minutes of the meeting of the day before the Director General enquired whether the proposal that the C.E.A. might agree to exhibit such films as we requested for 10 minutes in each programme gave us as much time as we ought to have. Sir Kenneth Clark said that he thought that the 10 minutes for propaganda films were as much as people could stand. Such films as “Convoy” would not he included in this category as they were able to stand on their own legs. Moreover, an arrangement under which more of the normal programme was displaced might have a serious effect on the American film industry and would be likely to cause trouble on that account. It was decided that 10 minutes was all that we should ask for at the moment but that we should not bind ourselves to that figure, which was a temporary one.
2.
DRAFT MONTHLY REPORT FOR MAY
The Director General called attention to the draft which was circulated, and observed that it was not convincing. It was now overdue, and events since the beginning of the month had tended to reduce its interest. Mr. Nicolson considered that it was too long and that there was confusion of things done with things which were to be done. He thought that the report might be divided into two parts, the first to deal with the general trend of policy and the second with a catalogue of practical measures which had been taken in pursuance of that policy. After general discussion it was decided that the report for this month should he withheld, and that Divisions should he warned now of the necessity of preparing well ahead for the next report which would he put in at the end of the month. Lord Perth thought that the Cabinet would be interested to know something about the methods we employed in getting at the various types of persons composing the Home Front which we were addressing. Mr. Nicolson agreed to draft a synopsis of the next report which the Divisions could then work on and fill out.
3.
MEETINGS IN HYDE PARK
The Director General referred to a suggestion that meetings should be organised in Hyde Park. A discussion took place on the desirability of such meetings being on a Party basis, or alternatively sponsored by the Ministry. Lord Perth wondered whether the moment was right for meetings of this sort among the London population. Mr. Macadam undertook to talk to the writer of the letter (Mr. Cove), Mr. Hindley Atkinson, Sir Robert Topping and Mr. Shepherd and report his conclusions after these talks.
4.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CIVIL DEFENCE COMMITTEE OF JUNE 14TH
(a)
War Effort
The following conclusion was noted:
Civil Defence Committee (40) 21st Meeting
(4) “To invite the Minister of Information to take steps to secure increased publicity on the lines suggested above for the great intensification now taking place in our war effort.”
Mr. Bevin had referred to 100% increased output, of which he thought advantage should be taken. Mr. Nicolson reported an interview with Mr. Leslie, publicity officer of the Ministry of Supply, who had wished to wait until there was a better story to tell. He had doubts whether such information as could be given would have the desired effect. It was pointed out that this consideration did not apply to the material which the Minister of Labour might supply on the longer hours, etc., worked by the industrial population. It was agreed that definite steps must be taken in order to discharge the recommendation of the Civil Defence Committee, and Mr. Nicolson and Sir Kenneth Clark undertook to get into touch further with the Minister of Labour and the Minister of Supply.
Mr. Ryan observed that the B.B.C. had begun to work up this theme and had chosen half a dozen “talking points” around which to group their material. It seemed to him very necessary that the B.B.C. and the Ministry of Information should adopt a common framework, and Sir Kenneth Clark agreed to co-ordinate these points with the B.B.C.
Civil Defence Committee (40) 21st Meeting
(8) “To invite the Minister of Health to consider in consultation with the Minister of Information what steps could best be taken to bring home to the public the danger to which the nervous and mental health of the public, especially children, would be exposed in the event of bombardment.”
Mr. Nicolson reported that he had been in touch with Mr. Malcolm Macdonald who had not seemed to be anxious to take much action. He agreed to get into touch again with the Minister of Health so that the Minister of Information could report at the next meeting of the Civil Defence Committee that action had been taken in discharge of this recommendation.
He also noted that during the discussion of the Civil Defence Committee Mr. Bevin had complained that the Ministry had no one on its staff who could express the working class mind. He had invited Mr. Bevin to nominate some person who might attend the Home Morale Committee when required for the purpose.
5.
HOME MORALE CAMPAIGN
Sir Kenneth Clark reported that this had now been considered and that a report had been prepared on one aspect of it. It was agreed that the report should be circulated to members of the Policy Committee and should be discussed at the following meeting.
6.
NECESSITY FOR ACTIVITY ON THE QUESTION OF CALLING UP MORE MEN TO THE COLOURS
It was reported that there appeared to be a demand both from the Home Front and from the French for an explanation why the calling up of men was apparently proceeding slowly. It seemed important from the point of view of morale that we should now make a gesture in the matter, even although the men called up could not yet be given the orthodox military training for lack of armaments. It was agreed that the Minister should be invited to take the question up with the Secretary of State for War. The Deputy Secretary undertook to get the exact figures of the progress in the calling up of the various age groups.
DECISIONS
MEMBER CONCERNED
1. That all Divisions should be warned now of the necessity of preparing well ahead for the next Report
2. That Mr. Nicolson should draft a synopsis of the next Report
Mr. Nicolson
3. That Mr. Macadam should talk to Mr. Cove Mr. Hindley Atkinson, Sir Robert Topping and Mr. G. Shepherd about the suggestion that meetings should be organised in Hyde Park and that he should report his conclusions.
Mr. Macadam
4. That the Ministers of Labour and Health should be approached again in connection with the increased publicity of the intensification of our war effort.
Mr. Nicolson
Sir Kenneth Clark
5. That the work of the B.B.C. and the Ministry should be co-ordinated in connection with the publicity for the intensification of the war effort.
Sir Kenneth Clark
6. That Mr. Nicolson should get into touch with the Minister of Health in connection with (8) of the Civil Defence Committee (40) 21st Meeting's decision.
Mr. Nicolson
7. That the Minister should be invited to take up the question of the slowness of calling up men to the colours with the Secretary of State for war.
