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POLICY COMMITTEE
Thursday, 31st October, 1940

PRESENT :

Minister

D.G.

D.D.G.

Secretary

Sir Maurice Peterson

Lord Davidson

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Fraser

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Macadam

Mr. Wellington

Mr. Tree

Mr. Gates

Mr. Ogilvie

Mr. Ryan

Mr. Valentine Williams

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

The Minutes of the meeting on October 29th were taken as read and approved.

1. G.P.O. FILM UNIT

D.G. explained that the paper which it had been intended to circulate had been withdrawn for further consideration. It would be circulated as soon as possible. The immediate point he wished to direct to the notice of the Minister was the need for authority to proceed with requisitioning studios and other accommodation at Denham. It was explained that the studio at Blackheath used by the G.P.O. Film Unit when it was taken over by the Ministry in the spring of this year was too small, was wasteful, and was unsafe. It had now been damaged by a bomb and although not completely destroyed was unusable. By the courtesy of D. & P. the Unit at the present time was using space at Denham. This firm had given a quotation which was both expensive and vague, and it was necessary to consider how to proceed in view of the need for space.

It had been understood at the Planning Committee the previous day that the President of the Board of Trade had already requisitioned Denham, but this had been found to be incorrect. The most satisfactory position would be if the Board of Trade could take over all the space and sublet a sufficient amount to the Ministry. If, however, the Board of Trade were unable to requisition, it might be well for the Ministry, through the Office of Works (who regard themselves as agents only), to requisition the whole, use such part as is required for the Film Unit and possibly for the Films Division, and sublet the remainder to the Trade. The technical position in regard to requisitioning was not quite clear but the Minister agreed that all possible steps ought to be taken to secure adequate accommodation for the Ministry's purposes at Denham.

A report on the position would be made at the next meeting of the Committee.

2. PAPER BY LORD DAVIDSON

This paper was withdrawn by leave of the Minister.

3. ADVISORY PANEL OF ADVERTISING EXPERTS

D.G. explained that for the purposes described in the paper it might have been more satisfactory to have one man rather than a panel, but it was hoped in the circumstances that the three experts named would be of considerable assistance. He added that he was seeing representatives of the advertising agents this afternoon, to whom the intention behind the establishment of this panel would be explained. It was necessary to see that any interest of the N.P.A. in this matter was safeguarded.

The paper was approved. Negotiations to be concluded.

4. FILM OF WORK OF AMERICAN RELIEF ORGANISATIONS

Mr. Tree raised the question of a film which would show the work done by the American relief organisations working in this country. A short film, it was hoped, would have a good effect in this country and the United States, and would be a graceful way of saying “thank you” to America for the assistance which had been afforded. The Minister and D.G. commended the proposal, and it was agreed that Films Division should be asked to proceed with the matter quickly since some irritation was being expressed in America at delay in setting up a committee which had been promised in this country.