16th April, 1940.
INTERVIEW BETWEEN AIR COMMODORE PEAKE AND SIP WALTER MONCKTON AT THE MINISTRY TODAY

1. I showed Air Commodore Peake my note of my conversation of yesterday with the D.C.N.S. at the Admiralty, and explained that the Minister wished arrangements on similar lines to be made with the Air Ministry. Air Commodore Peake was naturally unwilling to commit himself without discussion with other officers in the Air Ministry, to which he has only lately returned, hut he suggested that it would be wise to arrange for officers in A.I.6. to come in turn to the Ministry and serve under Group Captain Bradley.

I said I thought this was desirable, but that in addition there should he another senior officer who could act as deputy for Group Captain Bradley when he was off duty. Air Commodore Peake said he would consider this, and also the names of officers who might fill the post.

2. I also discussed with Air Commodore Peake sending an officer to represent the Minister at the Air Ministry, on the same lines as the officers who will represent us at the Admiralty. Air Commodore Peake said that he had himself been appointed to co-ordinate the work of the Press Division and the service officers who dealt with News Censorship and Communiqués, and that he was able to interview the C.A.S. when necessary and also to speak to the Secretary of State. He feared that if we appointed too strong a representative to work on lines parallel to his one or other of them would sooner or later lose the advantage of easy and direct communication with the C.A.S. and the Secretary of State, He would prefer, speaking for himself, the appointment of a man of about 38 who would sit in a room next to him and work in close touch with him.

It is quite clear that Air Commodore Peake is himself quick publicity minded, and that his influence with the higher staff and the Secretary of State is useful from our point of view. I should he inclined, therefore, if possible, to find someone of the type described by him.

3. Air Commodore Peake suggested that whoever is selected ought to come to the Ministry for experience of our work and attitude before going to the Air Ministry, and he wondered if it was really desirable for us to send liaison officers to the Commands in England, since those Commands did not put out communiqués.

4. I have, however, found difficulty about personnel for the post suggested by Air Commodore Peake. Brigadier Lawson is in France and C.R.A. of a division, I understand from Barrington-Ward that he is a keen soldier, and I think it unlikely that we could prevail on him to come into the Ministry. If the Minister approves, however, I think it is worth my writing to him privately on the remote chance of getting him, since I believe he would fill the bill of Controller of the Press Division.

Lord Birkenhead is also in the Army, and I have not been able to speak to him. I will, however, discover where he is serving, and in what capacity.