SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
MONDAY, OCTOBER 4th, 1943

PRESENT:

The Director General

The D.D.G.

Parliamentary Secretary

Mr. Francis Williams

Mr. Routh

Mr. Royds

Mr. Cruikshank

Mr. Hamilton

Mr. Grisewood

Mr. Macgregor

Lieut. -Commander Easton

Brigadier Neville

Admiral Carpendale

Mr. Lyne

1. REPORTS FROM SERVICE ADVISERS .

2. ESCAPES FROM JAPANESE

[B/331/2.]

Mr. Macgregor gave an explanation of the broadcast on Friday night by an ex-prisoner of the Japanese. (See Minutes of October 2nd, 1943). He said that the broadcast was first arranged a year ago, but was not given because the Foreign Office considered it inopportune. In June this year, the objection was withdrawn and the broadcast was agreed to with some cuts. It was considered that it was an objective account and served to remind the public that we were at war with a tough people. The question of distressed relatives was remembered, and it was maintained that this particular talk was not unduly “horrific”.

3. FOOD FOR INDIA .

EP/105/65.

Mr. Cruikshank drew attention to the newspaper reports today of “mercy” ships on their way to India. He pointed out that if these reports were true, they formed the basis of an excellent answer to criticisms in the United States. They appeared however, to be issued in a haphazard and unsatisfactory manner, and the extent of the relief was not clear. The Director General invited Mr. Cruikshank to see if further information could be obtained from the Ministry of War Transport and from the India Office.