SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Friday, 16th May, 1941

See Rog

D.D.G.

P.S.

Sir Maurice Peterson

Lord Davidson

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Radcliffe

Mr. Bamford

The Minister

Mr. Ogilvie

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

1. It was noted that the Minutes of the Meeting on the 14th May required amendment, and the Secretary promised to circulate a revised copy.

2. Herr Hess , The Minister described the latest news available in regard to Herr Hess.

3. B.B.C. Accommodation . Mr. Ogilvie referred to a letter from the Chairman of the B.B.C. Board of Governors addressed to the Minister which had been left with the D.G. the previous day. The points raised in it about B.B.C. accommodation related mainly to housing the Overseas staff and did not affect the programme of triple expansion for which sanction had now been given. He summarised the recommendations in the letter and explained that the reason for putting forward the policy of dispersal in the suburbs rather than the country was practical efficiency. He showed diagrams indicating the four lines of reserve which the B.B.C. tried to maintain for each of their principal services, but pointed out that one or more of these reserves could be put out of action by quite small damage from enemy action.

[B/135]

He felt that the amount of inconvenience which would be involved when the programme outlined was carried out (i.e., possibly about November) would be more than counterbalanced by the increase in the general efficiency of the services and the degree of security provided. The Minister said he favoured the policy of dispersal, and in the suburbs rather than in the country.

Sir Maurice Peterson mentioned that it would be desirable to secure the return of the staff engaged on the Spanish and Portuguese Services to London as soon as possible; the difficulty of doing this was appreciated and, subject to the B.B.C. doing what they could to bring it about, the 69 - 2 -general policy described by Mr. Ogilvie was approved by the Board.

In regard to the proposal for a hutted camp at Evesham, which was mentioned by Mr. Bamford, Mr. Ogilvie explained further that the B.B.C. felt it necessary, in order to deal with an emergency which might face them in the near future, (a) to carry on with the extension at present in progress to Broadcasting House, and (b) to set up these huts at Evesham which were intended to accommodate the Monitoring Services, and set free for staff which might have to be evacuated from London the accommodation at present occupied by the Monitoring Service. It was understood that Mr. Beadle was preparing the case for the Ministry to present to the Treasury on this proposal, and it was understood also that the general plan outlined would be laid before the Ministry of Works and the Treasury so that individual schemes could be considered in relation to the general plan.

4. Propaganda through Jewish Religious Organisations . (See Minutes of Meeting on 29th April). Lord Davidson reported that he had seen the Chief Rabbi, and in consultation with Mr. Martin had arranged for the establishment of a small Advisory Committee (which would be strictly confidential) to assist the Ministry in preparing propaganda among Jewish religious organisations abroad, and particularly in the Colonies. He felt that the discussion had been highly satisfactory.