SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
SATURDAY, APRIL 3rd, 1943 .

PRESENT:

The Director General

The Parliamentary Secretary

The D.D.G.

Mr. Grubb

Mr. Royds

Mr. Grisewood

Mr. Macgregor

Commander Easton

Colonel Treadwell

Wing-Commander Chapman

Mr. Lyne

Mr. Carter

1. REPORTS FROM SERVICE ADVISERS.

2. UNITED NATIONS DAY, JUNE 14TH . (Sec Minutes of March 12th).

[AM/386]

The Chairman referred to a telegram from Washington confirming the intention of the United States authorities to repeat this celebration. Mr. Grubb stated that the news had been received with no enthusiasm by the overseas Divisions; and it was agreed that, since activity by the outposts paid very little propaganda dividend, the main effort should be reserved for the Home Front. It was noted that June 14th was Whit-Monday. The Chairman directed that, in order to facilitate the arrangements, a paper should be put up for the Cabinet's approval without delay outlining the Ministry's proposals, which it was agreed should be on similar lines to last year's.

3. B.I.S. AND B.O.P.S. BUDGETS .

[AM/299/4]

The D.D.G. reported a telegram from Mr. Thomas requesting authority to comply with the provisions of the Foreign Agents’ Registration Act, by providing details of B.I.S. and B.O.P.S. expenditure. He pointed out that detailed figures of this kind had never been included in the Ministry's estimates as presented to Parliament, and that it would be inconvenient if these particular figures were made available for publication. The Board agreed that no objection could be raised to compliance with the Act, but that Mr. Thomas should be instructed to press for assurances that the figures would remain confidential.

4. SURVEY FOR MOSCOW .

[FP/8003]

Mr. Grubb reported that His Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow had asked for a daily personal telegram surveying the trends of American opinion on United Nations matters and on U.S.-U.S.S.R. relations. This could only in part be provided from available sources, and full coverage of the Ambassador's requirements would need extra staff in B.I.S. In view of the existing shortage of staff and other more pressing obligations, the Ministry had been unwilling to consider a special appointment. The Foreign Office, however, was maintaining pressure, alleging the great importance of such a service. The Board endorsed the Chairman's view that, while His Majesty's Ambassador was welcome to whatever material was currently available, the suggestion that the staff at B.I.S. should be increased for the purpose of supplementing it was quite inadmissible.