SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
THURSDAY, APRIL 8th, 1943.

PRESENT:

The Director General

Mr. Francis Williams

Mr. Gates

Mr. Grubb

Mr. Grisewood

Mr. Macgregor

General Tripp

Brigadier Neville

Admiral Carpendale

Mr. Lyne

Mr. Carter

1. REPORTS FROM SERVICE ADVISERS

2. TUNISIAN CAMPAIGN.

Brigadier Neville stressed the importance of making clear to the public the very severe strain imposed on the whole German war organisation by the present operations in Tunisia, which were too apt to be seen in short perspective. The Board concurred in this view, and the Chairman suggested that the Prime Minister's forthcoming statement on the progress of the war would provide the best opportunity for authoritative treatment of this broad theme. He invited the Service Advisers to provide him with a joint memorandum on the subject which he undertook to discuss with the Minister.

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3. MINISTRY OFFICIALS FOR MIDDLE EAST .

Mr. Grubb reported that Communications Division could only promise one air passage to Cairo in the immediate future, whereas two officers of the Ministry were required for urgent departure. He explained the purpose and urgency of Mr. Kirk's mission; and Mr. Francis Williams recalled the duties awaiting Mr. Sinclair. The Chairman ruled that Mr. Kirk should have priority, and invited Mr. Francis Williams to make such arrangements as would ensure that Mr. Sinclair did not cross Mr. Brebner, since it was important that consultations should take place between then, either in Cairo or London, before Mr. Sinclair took up his new duties.

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