SECRET
P. C. PAPER No: 6.
Home Intelligence

Home intelligence

1. It has already been decided to re-create a Home Intelligence Service under Mrs. Mary Adams, with a small staff to begin with, consisting of 1 Junior Assistant and 1 Research Assistant.

2. She will produce the following reports:

(1) To the Director General for the Minister's use:

(a) a routine monthly report;

(b) ad hoc reports on the results of special investigations or matters of particular urgency;

(c) ad hoc reports on the need for special publicity and on the results of measures adopted.

(2) To the Ministry of Home Security :

the routine monthly report (1) together with interim fortnightly reports is necessary.

3. To enable her to do this with the greatest speed and rapidity, authority is sought for the following:

(i) Such gradual increase of staff as may be found necessary, in consultation with Establishments, within an estimated limit of 12 persons and a cost of say £5,000 p.a. (including existing staff);

(ii) the employment of outside investigating agencies (such as the British Institute of Public Opinion, or a Market Research body such as the London Press Exchange) -

(a) to cover special areas and specific problems; and

(b) for regular monthly investigation as a part of the evidence on which the routine monthly report will be based.

The estimated cost is about £7,500 p.a., but the details would be subject to further scrutiny and approval by Finance and to Treasury sanction so far as may be necessary. The position would be reviewed after say 6 months, in the light of the value of the results obtained.

N.B. Treasury sanction was obtained in the early days of the Ministry, for the employment of Mass Observation for 4 weeks at a fee of £100 a week, and for one special enquiry by B.I.P.O. costing £200. The Treasury were sympathetic; but Lord Macmillan on learning the facts subsequently disapproved and cancelled the authority.