332 334 - 3 -

SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Friday, 28th February, 1941

Present :

D.G.

D.D.G.

P.S.

Sir Maurice Peterson

Lord Davidson

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Fraser

Mr. Wellington

Mr. Gates

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Macadam

Mr. Wiltshire

Mr. Francis

Mr. Beddington

Mr. Charles

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

1. The minutes of the meeting on 26th February were taken as read and approved.

2. REVISED SCHEDULE OF RESERVED OCCUPATIONS

The papers circulated were discussed and it was explained that broadly speaking a considerable change of policy was involved in the decision to reserve men from calling up on the basis of the importance of the work on which they were engaged instead of on an occupational basis. The Ministry was particularly interested in the B.B.C. staff, editorial and printing staff on newspapers and staff employed in the cinema industry.

[A/82F. (enclosure)]

The D.D.G. explained in regard to the B.B.C. that at a recent meeting with the Ministry of Labour agreement had been secured that the B.B.C. should be treated exactly as other government departments are, and deferment would therefore be a matter for consideration of individual cases on their merits. Mr. Charles pointed out that the question of securing additional staff to meet expansion raised quite different issues.

As regards editorial and printing staff of newspapers, it was agreed that the Ministry's policy should continue to be directed towards maintaining as far as possible all the local newspapers in the country 333 - 2 -short of the point at which a direct subsidy would be required to do this. The D.G. said he would speak to the Minister on the desirability of reaching a policy in relation to periodicals which Mr. Will wished the Ministry also to keep in existence. It was agreed that the newspapers would have to rely on deferment for retention of their key men.

The Ministry's policy on Press photographers had been to ask that they should not be treated any better, and not any worse than editorial staff of newspapers. Under the present proposal there would be no reservation at stage B, It was suggested that we should ask for the age of reservation to be continued at 35, and rely on deferment for key men below this age.

Mr. Charles referred to the representations made by newspaper distribution interests, and it was agreed that the possibility of applying protection to the transport side of this industry should be explored.

In regard to the proposals affecting the film industry it was agreed that if carried out literally they would involve the disappearance of the industry and in this connection the fact that projectionists might be released meant that American films would secure a monopoly in this country. It was agreed that there might be a case for applying for ‘protection’ of the staff of the Crown Film Unit as being directly employed by the Ministry, and that the possibility of securing the recognition of other film establishments as “protected establishments” should be explored. It was thought that a case could be made out for recognition in this way of most of the producers of short films who were already engaged ninety-five percent on government work and that there might also be a case for certain of the larger film interests being so recognised in view of the value of their work to the Ministry for propaganda purposes.

Reference was made during discussion to the position of the staff of Newsreel Companies, and of dark room men employed by News Photographic Agencies. It was agreed that in all probability pooling would be necessary although the Ministry could not take the initiative in taking such measures.

It was agreed that a letter should be prepared as requested by the Ministry of Labour and that this should form the basis for discussion with the Chairman of the Manpower Committee. Mr. Wiltshire made the point that the need to consider these questions of deferment on a strictly individual basis would require time in the office and that an addition to the staff engaged on the work might be necessary; the Board took note of this point.

3. MEETINGS ADDRESSED BY LEADING PARTY SPEAKERS

Mr. Macadam explained the origin of the paper which had been circulated and stated his experience that in certain parts of the country there was a real demand for meetings and he was convinced of the useful purpose they served. Trouble was arising now only on about one meeting in a thousand and he, himself, would be in favour of (1) mentioning to local committees forthcoming visits by prominent speakers; and (2) suggesting visits by speakers of a different Party where there seemed a danger of visits being paid by several of the same Party in succession to one area. It was agreed that in order to apply the rule that speakers should not be sent a long way for one meeting (a rule which was felt to be justified) the R.I.O. might inform committees in the same area about visits of prominent speakers; it was felt, however, that to take the further step and attempt to balance the speakers visiting particular areas might be going further than the Ministry ought to go and it was agreed that the D.G. should report the discussion of the Board to the Minister and should suggest that the paper be discussed at a Policy Committee when the Minister would be present.

[HP/24]

[enclosure Copy on HP/537/13]