144

SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Tuesday 8th 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 4th July were taken as read and approved.

2. ANTI-GOSSIP CAMPAIGN (Item 2 of meeting on 4th July)

It was understood that Air Commodore Blackburn was intending to raise at a meeting of the Swinton Committee, the following day the question whether a general campaign on “Careless Talk” could be dropped. The D.D.G. said he intended to be present and it was agreed that unless further evidence of the need for a campaign was adduced, the decision taken on 27th June should stand.

[6P/109]

3. THE POSITION OF THE B.B.C.

The D.G. read item 5 (c) of the minutes of the meeting on 4th July and explained to the Minister that in view of the Board the responsibility of the Ministry described in the Cabinet paper by references to editorial control, initiative and censorship, required that the Ministry should issue directions to the B.B.C. rather than directives.

[X/66]

Reference was made to an exchange of letters between the Minister and the Governors of the B.B.C. which terminated with an intimation from Sir Alan Powell that a meeting was being held on July 10th, when the Minister might have an opportunity of discussing the functions of the Advisors with the Governors. It was agreed that this opportunity 145 -2-might be taken to re-open discussions. It could be explained that the statement of Cabinet policy required that the Director General of the B.B.C. should be an officer of the Ministry and should take instructions from the Minister or the D.G; otherwise it appeared that the Cabinet ruling could not be implemented. Instances could, if necessary be given showing that frequently the B.B.C. expressed themselves as willing to accept any directive that might be given them, but completely failed to carry it out. If an amendment of the charter seemed necessary, it could be borne in mind that this could be done by the Privy Council.

4. PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICERS

The Parliamentary Secretary and the Minister referred to visits from Mr. Leslie and his Minister, who had implied that possibly Mr. Parker would not be the most suitable Chairman for the meetings of the Committee of P.R.Os. It was agreed that the Ministry should adhere to the view that Mr. Parker would be suitable since it was important that the Chairman should be the man who in his day-to-day work controlled the activities of the Regional Information Officers; and also that he should not be a man experienced in the technical side of advertising work.

[X/139/3]

5. PASSAGE TO LISBON

The Parliamentary Secretary said he had been approached the previous day by Captain Margesson’s daughter who wanted the Ministry's support in securing her a priority passage to Lisbon. It was agreed that while the Ministry need not stand in the way, no official support could be lent for this purpose. It was also mentioned that the Ministry proposed to discuss with Sir Gerald Campbell a suggestion that applicants for passages to America by Clipper should be vetted both here and in America before any support was given to them.

[AM/30/176]

6. INVASION EXERCISE

The Minister reported that the Cabinet had decided against an exercise for the time being but that the question might be re-opened.

[X/168]