SECRET.
POLICY COMMITTEE
Thursday, October 17th, 1940.
D.G.
D.D.G.
Secretary
P.S.
Sir Maurice Peterson
Lord Davidson
Sir Kenneth Clark
Mr. Fraser
Mr. Macadam
Mr. Tree
Mr. Wellington
Mr. Beddington
Mr. Peake
Mr. Radcliffe
Mr. Gates
Mr. Ogilvie
Sir Noel Ashbridge
Mr. Valentine Williams.
(Mr. Waddell (Secretary)
Subject to an amendment which was circulated (copy attached) the Minutes of the meeting on October 8th were taken as read and approved.
1.
B.B.C. BULLETINS OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES BROADCASTS.
Reference was made to the addendum to the Minutes of the meeting on October 8th, and Mr. Ogilvie explained that with the B.B.C's urgent preoccupations it had not been possible to resume the issue of the bulletins of foreign languages broadcasts. The importance of the point was, however, recognised, and it was hoped that issue would be resumed about the end of next week.
2.
DAMAGE TO BROADCASTING HOUSE AND ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION.
On the invitation of the Minister, Mr. Ogilvie described the damage which had been done in Broadcasting House by a bomb which struck it shortly after 8 o'clock on Tuesday evening, the 15th October. The bomb had come in through the telephone exchange on the 7th floor, had traversed the Home News Room on the fifth floor and lodged in the Music Library. The police advised that the building should be evacuated, but at 8.45 a decision was taken by Mr. Ogilvie that only the floors affected should be cleared. This process was being carried out at 2 minutes past nine, when the bomb went off.
The general effect is that all the operational rooms and [illegible]studios in the Tower will be out of action for some considerable period Services are being carried on in the basement, with restricted facilities in the matter of telephones. The lift shafts were in the tower and had been seriously damaged.
A fire started on the fifth floor, which was promptly and efficiently dealt with by the Marylebone A.R.P. Services, to whom Mr. Ogilvie and Sir Noel Ashbridge paid tribute.
Mr. Ogilvie regretted to report that six of the staff had been killed and there had been twenty casualties, some of them serious and some quite minor. He wished to put on record the gallantry and efficiency of those who had died and of the others who had assisted in such difficult circumstances. He said he would convey to the relatives of the persons killed the sympathy and admiration of the Minister, and the Minister himself said he would write to the B.B.C.
Mr. Ogilvie referred to the decisions which had been taken three weeks ago about dispersal of certain parts of the work hitherto done in London, and he emphasised the load which had been carried by Broadcasting House, considerably in excess of the intention when the building was erected. He thought the incidents which had taken place during the past three weeks pointed to the need for action to depend upon decisions taken on the spot, and he expressed the view that it would probably be necessary now to decentralise further.
In answer to questions from the Minister, it was explained that the damage had not yet been fully explored, and it was not possible to estimate accurately when it could be repaired. Contractors repair work had started yesterday. Floors had been heaved up and lift shafts had been twisted, and clearly some considerable time must elapse before the whole building could be used again. It was hoped that there would be no material reduction in the content of services, but elaborate productions would not be possible in Broadcasting House. This had some bearing on the need for alternative accommodation elsewhere in London, where entertainment programmes and features, and in fact programme material of all kinds except talks and news bulletins, could be produced. It was more than ever necessary to keep the use of the Paris Cinema and to obtain the use of the Criterion Theatre. Arrangements about the Criterion were in hand. Reference was made to the reserve lines for broadcasting from Maida Vale (where there was comparatively little protection) and from Finchley. If all three London lines were put out of action, the further reserve was at Woodnorton, where certain of the Overseas Services were being carried on. (See discussion at Policy Committee meeting on September 19th). The Minister emphasised that the question should be considered whether some further section hitherto carried on at Broadcasting House, possibly the Empire News Service, should not also be sent into the country.
On the question of decentralisation, D.G. said that during the visit he had recently paid to Broadcasting House, he had formed the firm impression that the building was overloaded with staff, and in present circumstances he would be fully prepared to support any proposal for further decentralisation. He felt further that decentralisation in itself would not be an adequate solution to the problems the B.B.C. had to face, and suggested more vigorous commandeering or making urgent arrangements for protected accommodation. On the latter point, Sir Noel Ashbridge remarked that there might be considerable difficulty in securing supplies for the building that would be required, particularly in the matter of cement, and he said he was afraid the process would take too long and that the building might be hit while in course of erection. He would of course welcome any prospect of carrying out both policies, i.e. of dispersal and new building together. It was mentioned that one of the L.P.T.B. Underground stations was not carrying a very heavy load, and Mr. Ogilvie and Sir Noel Ashbridge agreed to consider whether it would be suitable for their purposes.
3.
PROVISION OF FILMS IN SHELTERS
.
Sir Kenneth Clark referred to a discussion at last night's Duty Room Meeting, when it had been suggested that the Ministry might show films in shelters. It was appreciated that the Ministry could not be responsible for entertainment, but Sir Wyndham Deedes had already set going a small experimental scheme on authority given by Mr. Macadam, and it was thought that in the exceptional circumstances it might be desirable for the Ministry to show films. It was thought that there would be no objection on the part of the Trade, and that difficulties over the allocation of projectors and operators could be overcome.
The proposal had originated with the Education Officer of the L.C.C., and D.G. expressed the view strongly that the L.C.C., since they had powers and facilities, ought to undertake work of this sort themselves. He was afraid of the wide extension of any venture of this sort embarked on by the Ministry, which carried it into a fresh sphere of activity.
In the course of this discussion, Mr. Macadam referred to the general question of morale in London shelters. It was agreed that the difficulties and discomforts being experienced by the people taking shelter in the Tubes and elsewhere could not be primarily the business of the Ministry, The most that could be done by the Ministry would be to examine the bearings of these difficulties on morale, and to circulate to the various Departments affected reports on this question. Our policy should be to make representations rather than to take independent action ourselves on matters with which we were not directly concerned.
On the question of films in shelters, it was emphasised by D.D.G. that the question had been raised with a view to discussion and not for decision forthwith. The Minister directed that Sir Kenneth Clark should discuss the problems arising with Mr. Macadam and Colonel Scorgie and submit a report following an interview he intended to have with Mr. Leslie of the Ministry of Home Security. This report, it was hoped, would be ready in time for discussion at a meeting of the Committee on Tuesday first.
4.
REUTERS - L.E.F. AND THE B.B.C
.
Mr. Ogilvie asked what progress had been made in the discussions with Reuters and L.E.F. D.G. explained that Sir Roderick Jones had suggested he should be in direct contact with the Treasury. D.G. had therefore seen Sir Horace Wilson and arrangements had been made for Sir Roderick Jones to see Sir Horace, probably today. The negotiations would then be carried on by the Ministry. He emphasised that the interest of the B.B.C. in the improvement in quality of Reuter Services and in rights for re-broadcasting etc. would be fully safeguarded. A clause had been inserted in the Agreement with Reuters to the effect that a single fee would cover the rights required by the B.B.C. All that would be necessary would be to settle the amount of this fee.
DECISIONS TAKEN
To report on the proposal that the Ministry should show films in shelters.
