SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
TUESDAY, AUGUST 24th, 1943.

PRESENT:

The Director General

Parliamentary Secretary

The D.D.G.

Mr. Francis Williams

Mr. Gates

Mr. Grubb

Mr. Royds

Mr. Cruikshank

Mr. Carter

Mr. Grisewood

Mr. Macgregor

General Tripp

Colonel Treadwell

Admiral Carpendale

Mr. Lyne

1. REPORTS FROM SERVICE ADVISERS.

2. SOVIET NEWSREELS IN NORTH AFRICA

[F/14/66/3]

Mr. Gates reported that a letter had been received from the Soviet Trade Delegation enquiring whether the Ministry would undertake distribution, or recommend a local distributor, for Russian newsreels dubbed in French for showing in North Africa. He recalled the present arrangement for joint Anglo American-French newsreels, and explained that it was not clear whether the Russians envisaged a regular newsreel (which could hardly be topical by the time it arrived) or something in the nature of a film magazine, but it was in any case for consideration whether the Ministry, independently or in consultation with the Americans, should undertake any responsibility for distribution. After some discussion, it was agreed that the Soviet Trade Delegation should be advised that the Psychological Warfare Board in Algiers was the competent Allied authority in the area, and that the Ministry could not assume any responsibility in this matter beyond the provision, if required, of the names of suitable local commercial distributors.

N.B. No Minutes were issued yesterday, August 23rd, 1943.