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POLICY COMMITTEE
13th June 1940

Present:

Minister

D. G.

D.D.G.

Lord Perth

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Kirkpatrick

Mr. Macadam

Mr. Peake

Mr. Wellington

P.P.S.

Mr. Gates

Mr. Tree

Mr. Ogilvie

Mr. Ryan

Mr. Nicolls

Mr. Wiltshire (Secretary)

1. NEWS BULLETINS

Mr. Wellington and Mr. Ryan explained that the present number of news bulletins was designed to meet the needs of the majority of listeners, some of whom were only able to listen at different times of the day. No difficulty would be found in making arrangements if a bulletin were desired at 6 a.m. instead of or in addition to that at 7 a.m. Mr. Ogilvie quoted the following figures given by the Listener Research for the 30th May. (10% = 3½ million)

The Minister thought that the present system was about right. He had, however, had a number of representations from various sources including the Minister of Labour which required consideration. It was agreed that Mr. Nicolson should draft a letter for the Minister to sign to Mr. Bevin asking for his view on the desirability of altering the system. The letter should give some figures to be supplied by the B.B.C. as to the popularity of the news bulletins at various times.

2. INCIDENT ARISING OUT OF 6 P.M. GERMAN COMMUNIQUÉ OF JUNE 12th

Sir Walter Monckton reported that in the above German communiqué claims had been made to certain substantial successes including the capture of some British forces and a Divisional Commander. It was quite clear that some War Office communiqué should accompany it, but the War Office had been unable to obtain agreement with the French on a formula. The German communiqué had therefore been stopped all night, but since no security point was involved certain of the Press including the “Times” had nevertheless published it. Sir Walter Monckton thought that incidents such as this indicated an increasing need for compulsory powers.

3. DISTRIBUTION OF NEWS IN THE BALKANS

Mr. Kirkpatrick mentioned the possibility of sending across British owned newspapers in Cairo or possibly the two French newspapers which were of higher class. He questioned, however, whether either type would have any great propaganda value, and he doubted whether the present situation as to the publication of British news in the Balkans would be much improved by this expedient. It was suggested that we might aim to improve the French newspaper published in Bucharest. It was agreed to explore the possibility, including the possibility of a subsidy, with our Minister at Bucharest.

It was reported that the only communication with the Near East (other than the Cape route), which depended on the organisation of the Central African Air Route, might be greatly hampered by the R.A.F. requisitioning the aircraft to be used on it. The Director General of Civil Aviation of the Air Ministry had suggested that the point of view of the Ministry of Information should be put officially to the Air Ministry in order that the requirements of the Ministry of Information should be put in proper proportion. Contact had been made with the Foreign Office Communications Department and it had been arranged as a first step that they should make an official approach to the Air Ministry with which we should be associated. A copy of the letter from the Foreign Office to the Air Ministry was now awaited.

4. RELAY COMPANIES

The Deputy Secretary reported that the General Post Office had replied on the subject of the relays of Zeesen by two companies at Swansea. The G.P.O. had taken various steps in order to control this type of abuse, and it was decided to confine action for the present to taking up with the G.P.O. the point that we regarded ourselves as responsible for the policy of any action that was required to be taken in the matter of relaying.

5. B.B.C. & PARLIAMENT

Mr. Ogilvie referred to the criticisms which were made from time to time in the House in which members of the staff of the B.B.C. were involved. These criticisms often arose out of questions of taste, and he felt that the Staff were placed in an unfair position by being unable to defend themselves. He suggested that there should be a recognition of their position, which was closely assimilated to that of the Civil Service: this is, by Parliamentary usage, exempt from criticism. The Minister observed that in one instance the officer who had been attacked had defended himself in a letter to the “Times”. This method was not open to the Civil Service, and it would be difficult therefore the place the B.B.C. on the same footing as that of the Civil Service. The possibility of a Question was discussed but not adopted: the Minister thought it might be possible to refer the subject on a suitable occasion.

6. POWER TO ENFORCE THE EXHIBITION OP FILMS

Sir Kenneth Clark reported that his enquiries showed that difficulty would be experienced in applying the Emergency Powers Act for this purpose and it would be very difficult to define precisely what was required. The Deputy Secretary observed that although the Emergency Powers Act might not give a convenient solution, Parliamentary Counsel thought that 239 Defence Regulation No. 55 might he apt. Sir Kenneth Clark said that an alternative suggestion was now being pursued with the C.E.A. by which they would agree to set apart 10 minutes in each programme to such films as we required. He thought this might well be much more satisfactory than bringing into force some regulation which they would generally attempt to evade.

7. MINISTRY PAMPHLETS

Sir Walter Monckton referred to two pamphlets which had been brought to his notice and enquired whether we were justified in view of the paper shortage in issuing material of this type. It was explained that the pamphlets were intended for specific purposes and people, and that their poor appearance and general form of production was partly if not wholly intentional. Some doubt was expressed by members of the Committee as to the effectiveness of these pamphlets, but it was recognised that it was not possible to judge of their effectiveness by personal criteria. Mr. Kirkpatrick observed that it seemed desirable to address the class of person who resented control and restrictions, and this was generally agreed.