SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
TUESDAY. APRIL 20th, 1943

PRESENT:

The Director General

The Parliamentary Secretary

Mr. Francis Williams

Mr. Grubb

Mr. Royds

Mr. Cruikshank

Mr. Grisewood

Mr. Macgregor

General Tripp

Brigadier Neville

Admiral Carpendale

Mr. Lyne

Mr. Sinclair

1. REPORTS FROM SERVICE ADVISERS .

2. “AMERICA MARCHES” EXHIBITION .

[GP/104/146]

Mr. Royds reported that the Americans were now expressing disappointment that this Exhibition had not been the unqualified success anticipated, and enquired if advantage might not be taken of this present attitude to relieve the Ministry of its obligation shortly to tour the Exhibition in six provincial cities. This tour would cost £8,000-£10,000 and, if the Exhibition were to be drastically altered, as was considered necessary, there must be delay while new material was collected from America. The Board decided that Mr. Royds should discuss the matter with O.V.I. who, in view of the London experience, might agree that it would be unwise to risk a failure of the Exhibition to appeal to a less sophisticated provincial public.

3. PRIME MINISTER'S SPEECH TO MINERS .

[LE/97/298.]

Mr. Francis Williams reported that it had been decided to issue to the Press tomorrow the Prime Minister's “secret” speech to the miners’ delegates. There was a further suggestion that the speech, along with those by Field Marshal Smuts and Mr. Will Lawther, should be published in pamphlet form, and Mr. Royds was requested to discuss with the Ministry of Fuel and Power the value of such publication and the extent of circulation to specialised organisations.