POLICY COMMITTEE
FIFTH MEETING. 9th February 1940.

[Sir Kenneth Lee]

Minister

Director General

Deputy Secretary

Parliamentary Private Secretary

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Bevan

Mr. Hilton

Mr. Wellington

Mr. Wiltshire (Secretary)

1. Minutes of last Meeting read.

2. MEASURES AGAINST APATHY .

The Minister referred to the East Dudgeon Lightship incident as a suitable theme. It was generally agreed that this could be dealt with at public meetings, in the press, on films, by the B.B.C. and by posters in that order of importance. The incident was being featured in the film “Neptune”.

It was noted that a principle of treatment should be the diversion of present public resentment away from domestic affairs towards the enemy, and that it was the present time of stagnation which required the greatest efforts rather than a time when hostilities had intensified.

It was suggested that there should be a press conference on lightships forthwith and that all the lightship incidents should be gathered up.

A proposal that the Admiralty should be asked to allow a party of men from the “Ajax” to visit Liverpool, where there was said to be unusual discontent in the docks, was considered. The Minister stated that he was prepared to invite the First Lord to consider better co-operation by the Admiralty in this and other measures calculated to improve public morale.

The importance of more public meetings, and the starting of exhibitions, was also stressed, Mr. Bevan undertook to circulate a series of pamphlets which were being prepared on the broad issues.

3. THE SPIRAL CAMPAIGN.

Mr. Hilton read some notes (copy circulated herewith) which were generally approved. He pointed out that the theme should be “Do Save” rather than “Don't Spend”. He suggested as a formula “No person or body should come off better through the war”. P.C. Paper No. 7 was noted.

It was agreed that Mr. Waterfield should draft a letter for the Minister to send to the Chancellor in reply to Lord Stamp's letter setting out the Ministry's view on publicity required for the Spiral Campaign.