ALS.
POLICY COMMITTEE.
Paper for Discussion on 3rd July.

The work of the Ministry of Information overseas, and particularly in the British Empire, has been vitally affected by two developments, namely, the shortage of paper in this country, and the interruption or delay of communications by sea and air. It seems likely that further interference with communications may occur, and that even cable communication with some points may be broken.

In these circumstances, just as the devolution of the home activities of the Ministry is contemplated, a similar system should be established without delay for our overseas work. It is not necessary to put it into full operation now, but the machinery ought to be there ready to be used to the full as the need and opportunity arise.

A precedent and example already exist in the Far-Eastern Bureau of the Ministry. This is at present situated at Hong Kong, but may have to move to Singapore, It is subordinate to this Ministry, which provides it with finance and appoints its senior officers, but it has a good deal of autonomy within its own field.

In some respects the Cairo office of the Ministry operates in the same way. Recently, moreover, this office has acted as a direct distributing point for photographs and other material, originating with the Forces in the Middle East, to all parts of the world, more especially to the East, Australasia, and Africa. This obviates the double journey from London, which even in normal times would mean considerable delay.

I submit that the scope of the work done from Cairo should be enlarged and that it should be placed under an Officer of higher status and authority than at present. The territory served should be the whole of Africa, the Balkans, the Middle and Near East, India, and Burma (except to the extent to which the latter is served, e.g. by broadcasting, from Singapore) and Ceylon; Australia and New Zealand, with associated territories, would be included for matter originating in the Middle East, Africa or Asia.

Another overseas bureau of the Ministry should be established in Canada. This would serve North America, the West Indies and Australia and New Zealand except as above.

No part of Latin America falls into my province (unless you count British Guiana and the Falkland Islands) so I am not concerned to make proposals for that area, but I should have thought that a similar system was desirable there.

The establishment of a bureau in Canada would assist greatly in solving the problem of newsprint for material to be distributed to the Dominions and certain other Empire countries. It ought even to be possible to maintain direct communicating for this purpose between Canada and South Africa. Generally speaking, as far as the Empire is concerned, the Canadian Bureau would serve the Dominions, while the Cairo Bureau would serve the Colonies and India, But this only suggests the broad character of the personnel and organisation, and there are obvious exceptions.

The three bureaux at Singapore (or Hong Kong), Cairo, and Ottawa would be in direct relation with each other for the exchange of material and similar purposes, but general control, would, of course, continue to be exercised from headquarters, to the extent that communications made this possible,

I suggest that this proposal, with any comments that other divisions concerned may wish to make at this stage, should be considered at an early stage by the Policy Committee. If approved in general, it may then be worked out in detail and financial estimates prepared. It does not, however, seem worthwhile to do this at the present stage.

(signed) H.V.H

28th June, 1940.

Empire Division.