146 147 - 2 -

SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Thursday, 10th July, 1941

Present:

D.G.

D.D.G.

P.S.

Lord Davidson

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Radcliffe

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Gates

Minister

Mr. Waddell - Secretary

1. The minutes of the meeting on 8th July were taken as read and approved.

2. Anti-Gossip Campaign

Sir Kenneth Clark reported that the Swinton Committee, while not anxious to have a nation-wide campaign including Press advertising, would like the Ministry to do a specialised and slightly stronger campaign than had been intended by the Ministry. This might cost same £7-8,000 but the Committee was going to provide the Ministry with some facts before any approach was made to the Treasury.

[6P/109]

3. War Diary

(a) The list of items for the week ending 5th July was approved. The Parliamentary Secretary said he thought some items might be added to the list: He suggested and it was agreed, that in future Mr. Balfour's list of items proposed should be sent to him each week and he would base his notes on them. These notes would be circulated to the members of the Board and any point arising on them could be mentioned at a subsequent meeting of the Board.

(b) The Parliamentary Secretary's notes for the week ending 28th June were approved, subject to the amendment of the item for 24th June so as to indicate that the only outstanding point raised by the Public Accounts Committee was that in the Committee's view there should be closer Parliamentary control over B.B.C. finances.

4. Preparedness against Invasion

The D.G. read an extract from War Cabinet Conclusions intimating to all Departments that the country's defences should be brought to the very highest state of anti-invasion efficiency by 1st September.

[X/106/3]

5. British Council

The Minister referred to a visit from Sir Malcolm Robertson who had said that the Council would be guided by the Ministry on matters of propaganda and had suggested the appointment of Liaison Officers in the Ministry and in the Council. The Minister had asked the Parliamentary Secretary to undertake this responsibility in the Ministry and an Officer of the Council would be appointed shortly.

[A/50/2]

6. Establishment of a Russian Section

The D.G. referred to a visit from the Soviet Ambassador and to a suggestion that an Advisory Committee might be established, possibly as a preliminary to the establishment of a Russian Section in the Ministry. It was agreed that before a Section or an Advisory Committee was established, the D.G. should find out from the Foreign Office whether Sir Stafford Cripps had indicated the wishes of the Soviet Government in connection with propaganda; there would be no harm meantime in names being collected for a Committee or a Section.

[X/164]

Sir Kenneth Clark referred to a discussion at the Swinton Committee about the attitude of the Communist party in Britain to the war in its present phase. Reference was made to a lecture tour of factories by Mr. Pollitt and the D.G. agreed to find out whether the Ministry of Labour was aware of the proposal.

7. Interpretation of America in this country

Sir Kenneth Clark reported that the meeting of editors on this subject had been useful and reference was made in discussion to the views of Sir Gerald Campbell on the question of sending Americans to this country to help in informing the public here; there was to be further discussion with him on this point.

[AM/303]

8. Committee of Public Relations Officers

The Parliamentary Secretary said that Mr. Leslie had suggested that minutes and agenda should be prepared for meetings and he agreed to discuss this suggestion with. Mr. Parker.