308

SECRET
POLICY COMMITTEE
25th July 1940

Present:

Minister

D.G.

D.D.G.

D.S.

P.S.

Lord Perth

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Kirkpatrick

Mr. Macadam

Mr. Peake

Mr. Wellington

P.P.S.

Mr. Gates

Mr. Ogilvie

Mr. Ryan

Mr. Valentine Williams

Mr. Willert

Sir Maurice Peterson

Mr. Wiltshire (Secretary)

1. USE OF SPACE IN VIEW OF LAPSE OF SILENT COLUMN CAMPAIGN

Uses of the space were discussed by the Committee. Mr. Kirkpatrick thought it would he valuable to explain why it was necessary to keep silence as to air raids. Mr. Macadam thought that the Ministry of Home Security would like us to assist with their campaign on the theme “the Home as an air raid shelter”. It was decided that the Planning Committee should consider these possibilities amongst others, consulting the Air Ministry and the Ministry of Home Security on the two proposals mentioned.

2. DUTCH WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

The Director General explained that this was a proposal made with the support of Dr. Pelt for a Dutch weekly newspaper of about 24 pages with a circulation at first of about 5,000. This would require 1/2 ton of paper per week. It was intended to circulate it in the Dutch Colonies as well as other places. The only help they required was our good offices in obtaining the paper. Lord Perth thought that 24 pages was perhaps more than was required. The Deputy Secretary explained that the Treasury wanted us to amalgamate all requirements of paper for every matter in which the Ministry was interested. It was decided that paper for 5,000 to 20,000 copies should be made available for eight weeks.

3. CANADIAN SHORT WAVE STATION

The Director General reported that at a discussion yesterday the Dominions Office had found difficulty in putting the proposal for the erection of a transmitter under our control in Canada to the Canadian Government. It had been left that Sir Noel Ashbridge should reconsider the site for such a station, and if possible it should be put up in a Colony or in Australia. If the B.B.C. were unable to make an alternative recommendation, the Dominions Office would not object to consulting the High Commissioner in Canada as to how such a proposal would be received by the Canadian Government. The Minister did not object in principle that we should ask for free time on the Canadian station. The Director General thought it better to start negotiations on the basis of complete control and reserve other possibilities for negotiation.

4. RECOGNITION OF THE CZECH GOVERNMENT

Mr. Valentine Williams reported that a request had been received by the B.B.C. that the Czech National Anthem should be played, and the B.B.C. had made arrangements accordingly. They 309 had also been asked that the news bulletin should refer to Czechoslovakia rather than Czech. This had also been arranged. Mr. Nicolson observed that certain pressure was being exerted to add the Abyssinian National Anthem to the list. The Committee considered that no action was required on this proposal at this stage.

5. MR. MANPER'S QUESTION OF REGULATION 39BA

The Director General referred to this question which the Home Office had agreed to take. In view of the articles in this morning's press, particularly that in the “News Chronicle”, it appeared likely that supplementaries might arise asking who was responsible for making the Regulation. It was clear that the Regulation was promoted by the Ministry of Information, although the actual words “alarm and despondency” were inserted at the request of the Home Office. It was proposed that if a supplementary arose the Member should be asked to put it down on the Paper.