181 182 - 2 -

PAPER FOR POLICY COMMITTEE. 18th June 1940 .

Scheme for the report for the month of June upon the work of The Ministry of Information.

Introductory paragraph.

The report for the month of May, although it had been prepared, was not circulated to the Cabinet for the following reasons. The German victories in France necessitated a complete change in emphasis and timing, and therefore of organisation. It became essential to concentrate upon home morale while adjusting, but not relaxing, our efforts to guide opinion abroad and in the Dominions, The May report which had been prepared at a moment of transition from one system to the other would not have given the Cabinet a clear picture either of what was intended or of what was being done. It is now possible to give a full survey of the work and policy of the Ministry of Information during the past two months.

Home Front.

The main effort of the Ministry has been concentrated upon maintaining and strengthening the morale of the civil population. For this purpose a Division dealing with home publicity has been created under Sir Kenneth Clark and a Planning Committee has been constituted to meet in daily session.

The function of this Committee is to consider means by which public morale in all classes can be stimulated to greater confidence and energy. A campaign has been thought out, and is now being executed, to diminish fear and defeatism and to increase courage, anger, patriotism and pride. The following are some of the methods by which this campaign is being conducted:-

(1) Broadcasts by Ministers.

(2) Mr. Duff Cooper's letters to groups and individuals capable of exercising influence upon the public, such as doctors, clergymen, etc.

(3) Intensification of regional organisations.

(4) Press.

(5) Contact with B.B.C.

(6) Posters and pamphlets.

(7) Films and news reels.

(8) Invasion circular.

(9) Anti-rumour campaign.

(10) Better liaison with service Departments for issue of news and communiqués, explanation of working of Policy Committee, Duty Room Committee and Press conferences.

A very short statement or explanation to be given under each of these headings.

Abroad.

The main line has been to attack the legend of Hitler's invincibility and to prove that by stubborn resistance we can hold out until we can equip all our forces and achieve the mastery of the air as we have that of the seas.

The means by which this campaign is being conducted are the following:-

(1) Broadcasting.

(2) Anti-lie campaign.

(3) News reels.

(4) Religious propaganda.

Short explanation to be given under each of these four headings.

Query . Should anything be said of propaganda in enemy and occupied territory?

In the United States .

By the time the report comes to be presented we may have a decision as to propaganda in the U.S.A. and may be able to outline the measures which it is proposed to adopt.

In the Dominions .

Mr. Hodson to supply material.

Summary of activities since May 1 .

Number of meetings held with size of audiences.

Number of letters issued under the Minister's signature.

Number of pamphlets issued.

Number of broadcasts given.

Number of posters displayed.

Number of films circulated.

Mr. Wiltshire to see that a statistical summary of our complete output is included under this heading.