337

SECRET
POLICY COMMITEE
Thursday, 4th September, 1940.

GMB

Secretariat Registry

Present :

D.G.

P.S.

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Francis Williams

Mr. Grubb

Mr. Gates

Mr. Ryan

Mr. Kirkpatrick

Admiral Carpendale

Colonel Heywood

Mr. Easton

Mr. Nash

Mr. McIvor

Mr. Ogilvie

Colonel Francis

Lord Hood

1. Reports from Service Ministries, Foreign Office and Ministry of Home Security.

2. CANADIAN TRANSMITTER

Report by Mr. Ogilvie on his conversation with Mr. Robertson.

3. COMMUNISM

D.G. reported that the Prime Minister had asked the Minister to consider what action was required to counter the present tendency of the British Public to forget the dangers of Communism in their enthusiasm over the resistance of Russia.

[HP/561]

The Parliamentary Secretary mentioned the B.B.C.'s reports of Mr. Pollitt's declaration and said that such recognition of the British Communist Party might lead to difficulties. The B.B.C. undertook to bear this danger in mind.

On the main question it was decided that the right line was not to attack Communist ideology but to stress continually the merits of our own democratic institutions.

4. A.F.I

Mr. Grubb undertook to speak to the Minister.