The B.B.C. have asked the Ministry to submit a list of names. The following were suggested:-
Howard Marshall
Robert Donat
Leslie Howard.
Mr. Howard had offered to undertake the work free and would be willing to be anonymous. Mr. Wellington and Sir Stephen Tallents took note of these names and agreed to consider them.
[Names BBC.]
[Report on news printers.]
[Jamming.]
[Sub-[illegible]]
[[illegible] air craft [illegible]]
[[illegible]]
[List [illegible] Public.]
2. JAMMING
It was reported that there were 7 short wave channels to Italy, all of which were jammed by low powered local apparatus. The Antibes [illegible] was medium wave which was evidently jammed by a higher powered transmitter. The question of the number of higher powered transmitters in Italy was raised and it was agreed that enquiries should be made. A further report was expected at any moment from Mr. Munro on the medium wave position in Italy. He had already reported on the short wave position. It was noted that a transmitter in Malta had been ruled [illegible] by the Foreign Office as too provocative.
3.
BELGIUM
.
It was noticed that French, German and Dutch bulletins were now going, all of which would be understood in Belgium. Attention was being, specially paid to the Belgian side. It was agreed that we should get into touch with the Belgian authorities at once to co-ordinate our assistance, as might be necessary. Mr. Benink (English and Dutch) and Captain Aue (English and German) were mentioned as possible assistants.
4.
B.B.C.
It was noted that there was an urgent need for new subeditors for the foreign bulletins in the B.B.C. Journalists with at least two or three years’ experience of foreign affairs were required. The names of Douglas Reed, Mr. Blackie (or Blakie), Geoffrey Denis and Mr. Siepmann were mentioned in this connection It was also thought desirable to look into the position of Mr. Church who had been taken from the B.B.C. as an assistant to Mr. Brebner.
It was also necessary to strengthen the liaison with the B.B.C. Mr. Kirkpatrick undertook to enquire this
44
afternoon from the Foreign Office and the Deputy Secretary from the Ministry of Economic Warfare
5.
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Deputy Secretary reported that the arrangements for getting out official announcements were all right; that is, were in a position to receive all messages here, check them back, and give them out to the B.B.C. and the Press as from the 7 a.m. bulletin tomorrow morning, without a hitch. It was noted that the Affairs Sections, where these existed, were responsible for receiving and checking messages from their offices. These sections are of course not under the control of the Ministry of Information. The Director General observed that the Cabinet would not understand this and any mistake arising through the Affairs Section would be attributed to the ministry of Information. The Deputy Secretary agreed to take up as a matter of urgency with the Service Departments the point that we depended on the Affairs Sections to check back the messages. Some doubt was expressed whether the Affairs Sections were properly organised and it was agreed that they should acknowledge their responsibilities in writing to-day. Their staffing should also be looked into and, if necessary, representation should be made to strengthen them. It might also be desirable to consider whether the Ministry should not take them over.
[See file “BBC official announcing meets” also. WP(C)40 138]
[BBC relations with M.O.I]
6. THE POSITION OF FOREIGN JOURNALISTS
.
Mr. Macadam referred to the restrictions on foreigners in the Eastern areas, preventing them from travelling about, using a motor-car or bicycle, or being out after a certain hour. They had protested against this but it seemed that the Home Office had no power to give exemption to special classes of persons. We had been advised that the power resided with Chief Constables. It was suggested that the Home Office should be invited to write to all Chief Constables, explaining the importance attached by us to permission for neutral journalists to make visits. The suggestion was made that Chief Constables might be disposed [illegible] to agree to an arrangement under which a Ministry official [illegible] lead parties of journalists. It would be necessary to go into the question of identification. The Deputy Director General said that he thought we should move slowly and not be unduly apprehensive at this stage of restricting facilities, rather than running security risks. It was mentioned that conductors for parties of journalists could probably be found from the Foreign and American Divisions, under the circumstances which would be likely to arise. Mr. Macadam undertook to report again.
7.
SECURITY MEASURES IN THE MINISTRY
The Deputy Director General referred to the ease with which people could still get in to the Ministry. It appeared necessary to have a special pass for the Duty Room and a messenger on duty outside it. The Deputy Secretary agreed that this should be investigated.
The Deputy Director General also raised the question of news conveyed by telephone within this country. It appeared to be very difficult to control conversations in which information useful to the enemy might be given away. He thought that a conference of editors might assist but other measures would have to be considered. The matter was deferred for further consideration.
8.
MR. HULTON'S PROPOSALS.
The Deputy Secretary reported that the Treasury would have to submit the proposals put to them to the Chancellor. It appeared that 100 tons of paper would be required, and our annual ration might be as low as 5,000. It might be necessary to ask the Minister if he wished to pursue them in these circumstances.
9
THE POSITION OF U.S.A.
It was noted that the Foreign Office had asked the B.B.C. to be very cautious in their handling of the American situation at the moment. A cable had been received from Raymond Gram Swing referring to the critical change taking place in American opinion and his broadcast tomorrow night had been cancelled at his [illegible] request. It was considered that some effort should be made with the “Times” and “Telegraph” also the [illegible] to this end.
