37 38 - 2 -

POLICY COMMITTEE
15th May 1940.

Present :

D.G.

D.D.G.

D.S.

Lord Perth

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Kirkpatrick

Mr. Peake

Mr. Macadam

Mr. Tree

Mr. Wellington (part-time)

Mr. Wiltshire (Secretary)

1. MR. HULTON'S PROPOSALS

(a) A special supplement of 32 pages on the subject [illegible] new Government. Cost of paper £3,900

It was stated that Mr. Hulton had now suggested an 8.[illegible] supplement only. Sir Kenneth Clark had suggested that it might be possible to arrange that we should pay for the paper and that he would pay for the printing and subject t[illegible] the condition that he should submit a paste-up. D.G. adds[illegible] that Mr. Hulton should agree to any changes we made. It was agreed that the Treasury should be approached on the amended suggestion. The Paper Controller would have to make 40 tons of paper available.

(b) Supply of 300,000 copies of “Picture Post” to the [illegible] United States

The difficulty of paper was the overriding consideration [illegible] it was agreed that a more hopeful basis would be to get the paper printed in Canada or the United States of America, [illegible]This would raise the question of dollar expenditure. It was agreed to push on with the investigation.

(c) 4-page supplement devoted to France . This again should be worked out.

(d) Monthly Digest It was felt that a new venture should not be started at this moment. The public to be reached by the Digest would not be the public we wish to influence.

2. REPRESENTATIVES IN WAR ROOM

It was reported that the Air Ministry would accept any of the eight names submitted. The Admiralty and War Office were to let us know. Sir Walter Monckton and Mr. Tree undertook to approach the War Office about Mr. de Trafford. D.S. to approach the remaining names and Sir George Barstow was added to the list. Sir Nevile Bland and Sir Adrian Holman were also mentioned as possible.

3. BELGIAN BROADCASTING

It was reported that Welthem had been knocked out and that there was accordingly no broadcast service in Belgium. It was agreed in principle that parts of our Forces [illegible] programmes should be offered to the Belgians. The war Office should be informed of any alterations to the Forces programmes.

4. RECUEST TO THE B.B.C. FROM U.S.A. AMBASSADOR

It was reported that the U.S.A. Ambassador had asked the B.B.C. to break into their programme this morning to make a special announcement to U.S.A. citizens in this country. This had been refused and was now with the Foreign Office. It was felt that it would be difficult to resist a request for the inclusion of a statement in the ordinary News Bulletin if this met with the approval of the Foreign Secretary.

5. CENSORSHIP STAFF

Sir Walter Monckton said that 150 extra would be required with one day's delay only.

The meeting was adjourned until 11.45 a.m.