398 399 -2-

SECRET
POLICY COMMITTEE
Thursday, 27th February, 1941

Present :

Minister

Director General

Deputy Director General

Parliamentary Secretary

Sir Maurice Peterson

Lord Davidson

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Macadam

Mr. Fraser

Mr. Wellington

Mr. Gates

Mr. Tree

Sir Stephen Tallents

Sir Noel Ashbridge

Mr. Valentine Williams

Mr. Herbert

Mr. Vaughan

Mr .Waddell (Secretary)

1. The Minutes of the meeting on 20th February were taken as read and approved. In reply to the Minister, Sir Stephen Tallents explained that the accommodation for the B.B.C. at Bush House was likely to be ready in time for occupation on 16th March; the B.B.C. were exploring the possibility of securing part of the accommodation occupied by Messrs. Peter Robinson, which would be fairly suitable for their purposes and would not involve great difficulty in requisitioning.

Sir Kenneth Clark mentioned that the material for a leaflet on “Invasion” was now in final form, and the Minister said it would be sent to the Prime Minister with the proposal for a covering letter.

2. B.B.C. Defences .

Sir Stephen Tallents referred to deficiencies in the B.B.C. defence arrangements at certain of their establishments, and it was agreed that on receipt of details from the B.B.C. the Director General would take up with the War Office the possibility of remedying the defects.

3. Equipment, etc. from America .

It was explained in answer to a question by Sir Stephen Tallents that the possibility of the transmitters and other equipment required by the B.B.C. being transferred under the powers given by the Lease and Lend Bill was prominent in the minds of the Treasury, but it would be necessary to see what interpretation was put on the Bill after it had passed, before making any representations.

4. East Coast Transmitter

Sir Noel Ashbridge referred to discussions on the Additional Transmitters Committee and on the Wireless Board, from which it appeared that the only opposition to the site at Brookmans Park now came from the Post Office, who feared interference with the Transatlantic Telephone Station at Baldock. The B.B.C. were anxious to proceed, since the site at Brookmans Park gave reasonable coverage for Germany, there was little danger of obstructing aircraft, and it was in a good defence area: the Chairman of the Wireless Board was reporting to the Deputy Director General on the question, and it was agreed that on receipt of this report, the Minister might write to the Postmaster General.

5. Advertising in Periodicals

Reference was made to discussion at a recent meeting of the Planning Committee when a difference of view had appeared about the use the Ministry should make of advertising in the weekly papers throughout the country, and also to a deputation headed by Lord Southwood to the Minister, which had put the case for increasing the amount of advertising done by the Ministry in these periodicals. The Minister said he had been considerably impressed by the case made by the deputation; he recognised that much of the advertising work of the Ministry had to obtain quick results but for certain long-term campaigns the periodicals had the merit of being in circulation for a week at a time and he felt that on the whole a greater amount of advertising might be given to the periodical press. The appropriateness of the periodicals for the particular campaign in view would have to be considered in every case.