178

SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Tuesday, 12th August, 1941

Present:

D.G.

D.D.G.

P.S.

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Francis Williams

Mr. Tree

Mr. Gates

Mr. Victor Schuster

Mr. Ryan

Mr. Kirkpatrick

General Tripp

Admiral Carpendale

Colonel Heywood

Mr. Nash

Mr. Balfour (Secretary)

1. Minutes of the meeting on 11th August approved.

2. The Service Advisers reported on the day's news.

3. WHITE PAPER ON “BISMARCK “

General Tripp said that the Admiralty were considering the issue of a White Paper on the “Bismarck” action and wished to know whether the Ministry would welcome such a publication. Agreed that the proposal was to be encouraged.

4. CENSORSHIP OF MILITARY NEWS FROM RUSSIA

Mr. Nash referred again to complaints from Moscow about references in the British Press to the bases which the Russian Air Force were using. (See para. 2 of minutes of 11th August). Admiral Tripp referred to similar complaints about references in B.B.C. bulletins to shipments of supplies for Russia. D.D.G. pointed out that such items were only passed for publication when received from foreign sources which made it appear that the information would already be known to the enemy. He agreed that it was necessary to exercise great discretion in these matters, but the anxiety of the British public lest insufficient steps were taken to help Russia had to be borne in mind, and he asked that Sir Stafford Cripps should be told that the B.B.C. and Press were not making special announcements but only using news already published elsewhere. Mr. Francis Williams also undertook to suggest to the London representative of Tass that in present conditions his traditional 179 - 2 -practice of reporting to Moscow all the more unfortunate references made to Russia in the British Press was not exactly the most helpful course to adopt.

The Service Advisers and Mr. Nash then left the meeting.

5. PUBLICITY IN GREAT BRITAIN ABOUT THE UNITED STATES

D.G. said that the Minister wished this activity to continue, and proposed to ask Lord Bennett to take the chair of the Committee. Agreed that the proposal to arrange for the institution of War Fellowships for Americans in Great Britain should be referred to the Committee.

6. MR. HERBERT AGAR

Mr. Tree said that arrangements were being made with the Foreign Secretary's approval for Mr. Agar to address a meeting in Manchester on Wednesday, 20th August. Mr. Ryan said that the B.B.C. would be glad to arrange for him to give a Postscript after the 9.0 p.m. news on any week-day before he left on August 23rd. D.G. promised to speak to the Minister about this proposal, which was approved subject to the Minister's consent.

7. PICTURES OF ITALIAN PRISONERS

D.G. said that the War Office would probably make up their minds on this matter within twenty-four hours. No action, however, should be taken until their decision was known. Even if they raised the ban, Press tours and pre-arranged interviews would still be forbidden, and only occasional photos of prisoners in transit allowed. Mr. Kirkpatrick would consider whether the policy of the Vatican broadcasts should be reciprocated, and, if so, in what way.