415 416 -2-

SECRET
POLICY COMMITTEE
Thursday, 24th April, 1941

Present :

Minister

D.G.

D.D.G

P.S.

Sir Maurice Peterson

Lord Davidson

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Radcliffe

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Gates

Mr. Ogilvie

Mr. Ryan

Mr. Valentine Williams

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

1. The minutes of the meeting on the 17th April were taken as read and approved.

2. ATTITUDE OF THE PRESS

The Minister referred in general terms to the attitude of the Press to the difficult Situation in which the Government had found itself through the absence of news. The general feeling was that the Press had responded very satisfactorily.

[N/159]

3. INVASION PAMPHLET

The Minister said he was inclined to support the proposal now being made for a limited distribution at this stage of the Invasion pamphlet - e.g. to wardens, police, etc. It might be possible to distribute larger stocks to Post Offices where they could be held until the Situation appeared more serious.

[GP/267]

Lord Davidson referred to a draft leaflet prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture in connection with invasion and it was agreed that the Ministry should suggest this leaflet ought to be drafted without reference to the invasion pamphlet in order that it might be distributed before the general distribution took place. The draft should also be shown to the Lord President.

4. EAST COAST TRANSMITTER .

Mr. Ogilvie reported that the site in Yorkshire had now been definitely selected; the station might be ready in about a year's time.

[RC/31/15]

He promised to make enquiries about the broadcasting stations under our control in the Mediterranean area.

[RC/31/33]

5. BROADCAST BY PRIME MINISTER

The Minister said that it seemed likely that the Prime Minister would agree to broadcast on Sunday, 27th April.