SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
TUESDAY, JULY 20th. 1943

PRESENT:

The Director General

Parliamentary Secretary

The D.D.G.

Mr. Gates

Mr. Grubb

Mr. Royds

Mr. Carter

Mr. Grisewood

Mr. Ryan

General Tripp

Colonel Treadwell

Admiral Carpendale

Mr. Lyne

1. REPORTS FROM SERVICE ADVISERS .

2. SUPPLY OF MINISTRY MATERIAL TO INDIA AND FAR EAST .

[EP/321/1]

Mr. Grubb reported that the War Office was anxious that the Ministry should increase its news and feature services to India and the Far Fast for the benefit of British troops in these areas, and had invited him to call a meeting to discuss both requirements and ways and means. The analogy of the Ministry's services in the Middle East had been cited, and it was suggested that there was a real need for combating listlessness in general and disinterest in the Far Eastern war in particular by means of such additional services. Mr. Grubb explained that a considerable volume of material was already supplied to Brigadier Jehu and that the telegraphed proportion of this had recently been steadily increased; but he asked for guidance on the degree to which the Ministry's commitments could properly be increased in an area which, as representing the “continuing end” of the war, was likely to become more rather than less important with the passage of time. It was felt that the question was largely one of staff and organisation, both in the Ministry and in the Far Eastern Bureau; but it was recognised that, while any expansion of the Ministry's field of responsibility would have to be carefully watched, proposals for additional contributions of material must be considered on their merits. The Chairman therefore invited Mr. Grubb to proceed with the arrangements for the suggested meeting.

3. DUBBING OF FILMS FOR ITALY.

[F/109/15]

Mr. Grubb reported a request from P.W.E., endorsed by the Director of Films Division, that special dubbing priority for one month should be granted to shorts, etc. designed for showing in Sicily and Italy, and explained that, if these were handled in normal rotation, a time-lag of two months was anticipated. It was for consideration whether the importance of these films was such as to justify the considerable interference with current overseas commitments which this special priority would involve. Since it was understood that the Americans had an ambitious programme of films for Italy, the Chairman took the view that Allied needs in the initial stages would most logically be met from the much greater American production potential; and accordingly ruled that there was insufficient justification for the proposal.