SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
FRIDAY, MARCH 5th, 1943.

PRESENT:

The Director General

The Parliamentary Secretary

The D.D.G.

Mr. Francis Williams

Mr. Gates

Mr. Grubb

Mr. Royds

Mr. Cruikshank

Mr. Kirkpatrick

Mr. Ryan

Commander Easton

Brigadier Neville

Admiral Carpendale

Mr. Lyne

Mr. Carter

1. REPORTS FROM SERVICE ADVISERS .

2. BARCELONA FAIR . (See Minutes of February 18th)

Mr. Grubb reported that plans for a reasonably effective propaganda exhibition had been agreed by the Department of Overseas Trade, and that the Director of the Fair had expressed his willingness to accept an exhibition on these lines. He added that the United States had decided to participate in the Fair and had taken the other half of the same large hall. It was understood that there were good prospects of cordial co-operation between the two Embassies in this matter. Since the deadline for taking up our option was rapidly approaching, it was now necessary to decide, as a matter of policy, whether an exhibition which skirted the susceptibilities of both the Spanish Government and the Department of Overseas Trade, was worth doing. Mr. Grubb himself attached importance to the project, particularly as providing the first opportunity of the war for public showing of British films anywhere in Spain, and he stressed the fact that the active co- operation of the Embassy marked a welcome response to the Ministry's constant efforts towards a more active propaganda policy in the peninsula - a response which would be blighted at birth by our abandonment of the Barcelona Fair.[illegible]

[BE/22/2]

Mr. Royds opposed the exhibition on three grounds. Firstly, the development of the war in the Mediterranean was likely to deprive propaganda to Spain of any considerable importance in the near future. Secondly, undertakings of this kind, especially when opposed by Axis exhibits, were liable to expand uncontrollably from the original plan; and Exhibitions Division was already severely extended. Thirdly, was the propaganda impact on Spain likely to be commensurate with the effort and expenditure involved?

After some discussion, which did not disclose much support for the scheme amongst members of the Board, the Chairman undertook to discuss the question with the Minister.

N.B. No Minutes were issued yesterday, March 4th.