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Secretariat Registry
SECRET
POLICY COMMITTEE
Thursday 24th July, 1941

Present :

Minister

D.G.

D.D.G.

P.S.

Lord Davidson

Mr. Radcliffe

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Gates

Mr. Macgregor

Mr. Tree

Mr. Ogilvie

Mr. Ryan

Mr. Herbert

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

1. The minutes of the meeting on 17th July were taken as read and approved. The D.G. reported that a discussion had taken place with Sir Gerald Campbell about publicity in America in the event of a Russian collapse and a guidance telegram had been sent to the United States.

2. RELATIONS WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS

The D.G. reported that he had spoken to the Vice-C.I.G.S. and Sir James Grigg and understood that the deputies to the Secretary of State in the War Office would be General Pownall and Sir James Grigg. Mr. Speed, the P.S. to the Secretary of State, would be the channel for communication with the S. of S. and his deputies.

[X/30/11]

The Minister reported that the appointment of a major general (Major General Lawson, who had had considerable Press experience) had been confirmed. He thought it would be advisable to pursue forthwith the question of releasing the names of men concerned in exploits, rather than await the arrival of General Lawson.

3. COMMITTEE ON PROPAGANDA POLICY

The Minister intimated that he had asked the Parliamentary Secretary to represent the Ministry temporarily on the Committee with the Foreign Office and Ministry of Economic Warfare.

4. The Minister said he thought it would be desirable for the B.B.C. not to adhere strictly to the terms of stories issued by the Air Ministry News Service. Mr. Ogilvie and Mr. Ryan agreed that this would be a considerable improvement on the present position, which involved checking back each item which the B.B.C. decided to use.

5. B.B.C. INTERVAL SIGNALS

It was agreed that the B.B.C. were right in regarding the “V” sign as a weapon of war for use abroad, but as requiring careful treatment end perhaps only occasional reference at home. The Minister suggested that in the answer to the next Parliamentary question on the matter the real reasons in favour of this policy should be given.

[B/6/25]

On the general question of interval signals Mr. Ogilvie remarked that the present signal “B.B.C.” was not satisfactory, and the B.B.C, had alternative suggestions under consideration. A good signal had to take into account both continuity and identification and it was possible that for continuity the B.B.C. might use an improved “tick-tock” sound and for identification some other signal, possibly spaced at 2 minute or 1 minute intervals. In considering the Prime Minister's suggestion that the opening notes of Beethoven's 5th Symphony could be used it was necessary to bear in mind that the signal would be used in a great variety of contexts.