189 190 - 2 -

SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Monday, 18th August, 1941.

Present:

D.D.G.

P.S.

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Francis Williams

Mr. Gates

Sir Victor Schuster

Mr. Tree

Mr. Ryan

Mr. Kirkpatrick

Admiral Carpendale

General Tripp

Colonel Treadwell

Mr. Nash

Mr. McIver

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

1. The minutes of the meeting on 16th August were taken as read and approved.

2. The Service Advisers reported on the day's news. It was agreed that as much clarification as possible should be provided in connection with the running credit to Russia.

The Service Advisers, Mr. Nash and Mr. McIver then left the meeting.

3. SPEECHES BY MR. EDEN ON 16th AUGUST

Mr. Ryan agreed to look into the use by the B.B.C. at 6 p.m. of extracts from the speech not delivered until later in the evening.

4. BROADCAST BY MR. POLLITT

The Parliamentary Secretary referred to a suggestion from Dr. Mallon that a broadcast by Mr. Pollitt would help to improve output in factories. It was agreed that it would be undesirable to encourage the proposal.

5. PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE REPORT

It was agreed that Mr. Bamford should pass to Mr. Ryan for use by the B.B.C. in “The World Goes By” a request received from the Comptroller and Auditor General for publicity for a report of the P.A.C. published on 16th August.

6. BOMBER COMMAND

Mr. Gabes reported to the Board the situation arising in connection with this publication for the Air Ministry, who now said they were unable to give an assurance that proofs could be read and returned within 24 hours. It was understood that the Minister was anxious to press on with the publication in view of the urgency with which the Air Ministry had asked for it in the first place.

7. “ANSWERING YOU” (See item 5 on 13th August)

Mr. Tree referred to a question which had been put to Mr. Agar about the desire of people in this country for America to enter the war. It was agreed that the particular question should not have been put to Mr. Agar, who obviously could not speak for British opinion, and that an official in the Ministry should be designated to deal with the programme. The D.D.G. promised to speak to Mr. Cruikshank that day.