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POLICY COMMITTEE
Minutes of Seventh Meeting, 23rd February 1940 .

Minister

Sir Edward Grigg

Sir Walter Monckton

Sir Kenneth Lee

Mr. Waterfield

Mr. Tree

Mr. Macadam (for Item 8)

Mr. Bevan (for Item 16)

Mr. Wiltshire (Secretary)

1. B.B.C. AND MILITARY LIAISON OFFICER

It was agreed that a War Office Liaison Officer with the B.B.C. would be a waste of money. The Deputy Secretary to continue negotiations about M.I.7 with Sir James Grigg.

2. CO-ORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES IN PARIS

Sir Edward Grigg to speak to the Minister.

3. FOREIGN PUBLICITY BUSINESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Meeting that afternoon. Minister to discuss its future with it.

4. HOURS OF ATTENDANCE

Deputy Secretary to report again.

5. CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE

To be held.

6. B.B.C. ANSWER TO HAW-HAW

The Minister suggested someone to broadcast at nine o'clock every night, and material to be partly reference to any encouraging features during the day, and partly contradiction of the more outrageous lies. A general discussion in which it was noted that there was, amongst the public who listened to Haw-Haw, a considerable sense of frustration and desire for more satisfactory retaliation.

7. REGISTER OF SINKINGS .

Agreed. Minister to see what had been done on Mr. Noel-Baker's suggestions.

8. DESIRABILITY OF PUBLIC SPEECHES BY R.I.Os (Mr. Macadam present)

This was not thought desirable except on matters of organisation, but permission might be given in special cases.

9. R.I.O's CONFERENCE

The Minister had no objection to the same attendance as last time, in particular the Party Agents if they wished to come.

10. REQUEST TO LORD HALIFAX TO SPEAK IN WALES

The Minister agreed to mention it.

11. ANGLO-FRENCH MEETINGS

Approved, and suggested that first All-Party meetings should be used where possible to welcome a Frenchman.

12. LORD KEMSLEY AND INCREASED FRENCH NEWS

The Minister agreed to write.

13. DISTRIBUTION OF POLICY PAPERS TO POSTS ABROAD

Agreed.

14. COMMON ROOM TEA

Noted that general feeling was against. Approved that arrangements should be made to notify Directors that a room would be available to them for lunch.

15. HONOURS

Recommendations to be obtained from Directors. Permanent Civil Servants only eligible, and not to be handicapped by their transfer to the Ministry of Information as a new Department.

16. MINISTRY OF FOOD CAMPAIGN (Mr. Bevan present)

Paper circulated. Suggestion 3. on that paper approved.