SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Tuesday, 7th January 1941

Present :

D.G.

D.D.G.

Sir Maurice Peterson

Lord Davidson

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Radcliffe

Mr. Wellington

Mr. Gates

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

1. The minutes of the meeting on 3rd January were taken as read and approved. The D.D.G. mentioned in regard to minute No. 5 (Representation on Interdepartmental and Other Committees) that before circularising departments he was examining the Committee List which is at present maintained in the Ministry.

2. REPRESENTATION OF THE MINISTRY ON CHATHAM HOUSE COMMITTEE

The D.G. explained that Lord Astor and Dr. Toynbee had suggested that the Ministry might be represented on the Chatham House Standing Committee on War Aims. After discussion it was agreed that the D.G. should ask the Minister whether he knew of any Commission from the Government to Chatham House to consider war aims. Subject to the Minister's reply it might then be necessary to approach the Foreign Office and again consider the matter at a meeting of the Board before reaching a decision.

3. The D. G. mentioned that he would like to begin visiting Divisions in the Office, starting with the Publicity Division. Sir Kenneth Clark was to make the necessary arrangements.

4. It was agreed that for the discussion about deferment of service, on which a paper was being circulated, Mr. Wiltshire and Mr. Bamford should be invited to attend, and Mr. Charles and Mr. Francis should be asked to hold themselves available to attend if called upon.

5. B.B.C's. BAN ON PACIFISTS

Sir Kenneth Clark referred to discussion on the Home Planning Committee from which it had appeared that several members of the Committee felt the decision of the Governors of the B.B.C. not to allow “avowed pacifists” (e.g. Sir Hugh Robertson) to broadcast was doing more harm than good, and might in fact be contrary to Government policy. It was explained that the case made for their decision by the B.B.C. was adequate on paper; that the B.B.C's. Religions Advisory Committee had been consulted and felt the decision to be the only course in the circumstances; that the B.B.C. had in the past been in considerable difficulty through criticism in the House of Commons and elsewhere of broadcasts by such people as Canon Raven and Mr. Middleton Murray; and that the question had now practically subsided since Mr. Nicolson's answer to a question in the House which gave the explanation of the B.B.C's. decision. The Governors had felt that the view would be widely taken “Why employ this avowed pacifist when there are other broadcasters available?”, and that they would land themselves in great difficulty if they began to allow exceptions. The [illegible] this views it seemed unreasonable to provide a forum for men known to hold views opposed to continuance of the war.

Sir Kenneth Clark undertook to report these views to the Home Planning Committee.