EXECUTIVE BOARD
Tuesday 3rd June, 1941

War Diary. Ministry of Information.

Draft by Parliamentary Secretary for week ending May 24th

Monday, May 19th

Duke of Aosta's surrender :-

It was known in London on May 18th that the Duke of Aosta had accepted our terms of capitulation and that the surrender of the Italian Garrison at Amba Alagi and of the Duke himself would be completed by noon on Monday, May 19th. General Wavell had, however, asked that this news should not be published. It was subsequently discovered that this injunction was due to some misunderstanding, but meanwhile the Ministry protested against important news of this nature being suppressed without any adequate reasons being given by the military authorities for such restriction.

(DRG 579)

Tuesday, May 20th

Unemployment return s

The Ministry of Labour had enquired whether the Ministry felt it would be a good thing or a bad thing if the publication of monthly figures of unemployment were suspended.

After discussion in Duty Room it was felt on the whole that although the comparatively high figures of unemployed still existing did cause some criticism in America and elsewhere, yet the sudden suspension of publication without any obvious reason would be likely to cause more harm than good.

(DRG 581)

Wednesday, May 21st

Provision of News to American Correspondents

The American Correspondents having brought their complaints that they were starved of news to the notice of the Minister of state a 100 - 2 -meeting was called in Lord Beaverbrook's room and attended by Lord Beaverbrook, Anthony Eden, The Director General and the Parliamentary Secretary. The main decision taken was that the Cabinet should be asked to arrange for regular background talks to be given to the American Correspondents by the heads of the Service Departments as well as by the Foreign Minister. A paper to that effect was to be circulated to the Cabinet.

(KB 4)

Reuters

Complaints continue to reach the Ministry from abroad regarding Reuters Service generally and the inaccuracies of some of its reports. It was understood that the Newspaper Proprietors Association, as represented by Lord Kemsley and Lord Rothermere, had come to the conclusion that Reuters was not giving a sufficiently competent service and had decided to acquire a controlling interest in Reuters for themselves. It was felt in the Ministry that provided this interest was shared by the N.P.A. generally and not held by certain individual Press Lords, an improvement would be effected in Reuters and the Ministry would be spared the expense and trouble of having to take over the concern themselves.

(DRG 588)