SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23rd, 1943 .

PRESENT:

The D.D.G.

Parliamentary Secretary

Mr. Francis Williams

Mr. Gates

Mr. Grubb

Mr. Royds

Mr. Cruikshank

Mr. Carter

Mr. Grisewood

Mr. Ryan

General Tripp

Brigadier Neville

Admiral Carpendale

Mr. Lyne

1. REPORTS FROM SERVICE ADVISERS .

2. B.I.S. AND AMERICAN POLITICAL SPEECHES .

[AM/111]

The Chairman referred to a telegram from Mr. Butler describing an arrangement by which an officer of B.I.S. had been permitted to suggest revisions in a forthcoming speech by Mrs. Luce in Congress, in return for an undertaking to assist publicity for it in this country. Mr. Cruikshank pointed out the grave dangers inherent in such an arrangement; and maintained that, beyond the special features of the present case (Mrs. Luce's avowed hostility to the administration and some of the proposed contents of the speech); it was in principle most undesirable that an Information Service should involve itself in matters of local politics. The Board was in warm and unanimous agreement; and the Chairman invited Mr. Cruikshank to prepare immediately a draft telegram which he undertook to discuss with the Minister.

3. REVIEWS IN “THE LISTENER” .

[B/40/1]

Mr. Grubb reported a protest from Empire Division at the favourable review given by “The Listener” to a recent book on India by H.N. Brailsford, which in their view was written on wholly perverse lines. This raised the question whether the official organ of the B.B.C. ought to recommend a publication regarded as markedly inconsistent with Government policy; and if not, what machinery for guidance was possible. The Board accepted Mr. Ryan's definition of “The Listener” as a paper of “sober independence”, and found substance in the contention that none of the suggestions canvassed for supplying its editor with guidance could be made effective without so hampering his independence as to deprive reviews of any vitality. At the same time it was recognised that, while only a series of cases like the one under discussion need throw doubt on the responsibility and commonsense of the editor, it must be within the competence of the Ministry to make representations in individual instances where necessary. In the present case the Chairman approved Mr. Ryan's proposal to bring together the editor of “The Listener” and Mr. Huxley for an informal discussion.

4. POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE EXPORT OF BOOKS

[LE/64.]

Mr. Grubb reported that Far Eastern Division's wish to promote the export of “The Menacing Rise of Japan” had been held by Publications Division to be subject to a special authorisation, on the ground that, while its contents were admitted to be unexceptionable, it contained a preface by Lord Vansittart. He enquired whether this contention had substance. The Chairman suggested that it was based on a misinterpretation of the Director General's ruling on the Ministry's attitude to publications sponsored by political parties, and that, since Lord Vansittart's preface was contributed in his capacity as a private individual, it should be treated on its merits. It was agreed, however, that the directive appeared to need further clarification, and the Chairman invited Mr. Grubb to send him the papers for this purpose.