SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Tuesday, 17th June 1941

Ministry of Information War Diary.

draft by the Parliamentary Secretary for week ending 7th June 1941.

Tuesday, June 3rd .

(a) The Executive Board discussed the expenditure of the Ministry.

Disapproval was expressed of a situation in which the Ministry had responsibility for press advertising but in fact very little control. It was decided also to write to the Treasury pointing out that press advertising was an undesirable medium for many of the messages which Government Departments wished to convey to the public.

(XB 2 and XB 4th June 3)

(b) Some dissatisfaction was felt with the form and presentation of the B.B.C. Home News Bulletin. Various means of improvement were suggested, but it was agreed that the problem was part of the general problem of securing adequate control over the issue of news from Service and other Departments.

(XB 3 and Pol. Cttee 5th June 3)

(c) News of the appointment of Sir Gerald Campbell as Director General of Information Services in the United States was published prematurely in the “Chicago Daily News” on Saturday, May 31st. Steps were immediately taken to counteract the effect of this by having an official announcement issued from No. 10, Downing Street. Representations were made to the Prime Minister, who had not previously been informed of the appointment, and the announcement was finally made on Tuesday, June 3rd.

(AM/299, E/2305)

Wednesday, 4th June.

The Home Planning Committee discussed publicity for the United States in Britain.

The object should be to popularise the achievements of American democracy, but at the same time not to lead the public to expect too much American aid too quickly. It was agreed that a comprehensive scheme should he drawn up for discussion the following week.

(HPC 937)

Thursday, June 5th .

(a) The Home Planning Committee discussed the uses of the Home Intelligence Reports and the means of drawing the attention of the Departments concerned to the points in them which required action. It was felt that these reports were so valuable in themselves that greater circulation should be given to them, even at the risk of arousing criticism.

(HPC 942)

b. Propaganda regarding the Syrian Campaign.

It transpired in Duty Room that some difference of opinion had arisen between General Headquarters, Cairo and the Foreign Office in regard to propaganda regarding the Syrian Campaign. The Ministry had not been given any very clear guidance as to the line to be followed both as regards opinion at home and opinion in France. A telegram had been received from Cairo giving certain definite directives but apparently these directives were only to be followed “if and when” British troops entered Syria. Similar directives which had been prepared by the Foreign Office were rejected by the Defence Committee.

In practice the confusion which might have arisen was eliminated by the close contact maintaining between General Wavell and Sir Miles Lampson. It should be recorded, however, that the Ministry felt apprehensive lest an operation of this nature (which involved very important propaganda problems) should not be embarked upon without at least the Minister having the opportunity to consult with the Foreign Office and the Service Departments as to an exact plan and timetable for propaganda this end.

(DRG 607)

Saturday, June 7th .

The Prime Minister held a Press Conference to the Editors of London weekly and daily papers at which he gave a review of operations in Crete.