SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Wednesday May 7th, 1941

Present:

D.G.

D.D.G.

Sir Maurice Peterson

Lord Davidson

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Radcliffe

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Gates

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

1. The minutes of the meeting on the 6th May were taken as read and approved.

2. News from Iraq. The D.G. said that he had seen General Ismay and had discussed the line which should be taken in regard to news from Iraq and Egypt. He outlined a suggestion that the fighting in Iraq should be treated as due to rebellion and indicated the importance attached to Tobruk being held on the German flank in Libya. It was agreed that Mr. Radcliffe should see Colonel Hollis or General Ismay before saying anything further to the Press or the B.B.C.; and that he should discuss the possibility of a regular arrangement whereby the Ministry might be kept fully informed of operational prospects.

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3. Plate on show at the British Industries Fair. Lord Davidson reported that the King and Queen had agreed to hand over the plate which had been on show at the B.I.F. in New York to Bishop Manning's Cathedral for safe keeping. Arrangements in connection with this were being passed to the American Division.

4. Propaganda at Home and abroad Sir Kenneth Clark asked whether any general rule could be laid down on whether it was possible to take different lines in propaganda at home and abroad. It was agreed after discussion on the present situation in Iraq that there could be no one answer to a question of this sort.

5. Empire Stamps Mr. Bamford referred to publicity in the London Evening papers for what seemed likely to be a fraud connected with “Empire stamps”. The person concerned was associating the Ministry with his scheme, and it seemed desirable to arrange for some speedy dementi. It was agreed that Mr. Bamford should speak to the Parliamentary Secretary with a view to a question being asked in the House.

6. Journalists in night flights over Germany Mr. Radcliffe reported that the Air Ministry had withdrawn the opposition hitherto shown to the suggestion that journalists should be carried in bombers over Berlin. The B.B.C. took the point of view that if American Radio commentators were making the trip, the B.B.C. ought not to be excluded; at the same time, the Duty Room Committee had not been impressed with the publicity value of the proposal at the present time. It was agreed that the D.G. and Mr. Radcliffe should report the discussion to the Minister, bearing in mind that the Parliamentary Secretary had been opposed to the suggestion and that in Sir Maurice Peterson's view it would be a wise precaution, if it were pursued, to see that the journalists were accredited to the Air Ministry.

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