SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Monday, 13th January 1941

Present :

D.D.G.

P.S.

Sir Maurice Peterson

Lord Davidson

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Radcliffe

Mr. Gates

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Macgregor

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

1. The minutes of the meeting on the 10th January were taken as read and approved.

2. OVERSEAS PUBLICITY THROUGH WOMEN'S ORGANISATIONS

The paper circulated was discussed, and it was agreed that the suggestion of having a woman liaison officer to keep in touch with international women's organisations and influence the line they take with correspondents would be a helpful one; the danger was that the arrangements might get out of control. Mr. Nicolson said that he felt it right in theory to have a woman liaison officer for this purpose, and from his experience in touring the Regions in this country during the past fortnight he felt the Ministry should be willing to take a stronger and more independent line on matters of this sort than we had been willing to take in the past.

It was agreed that, subject to being able to find the right woman for the job and subject to the restrictions described in Sir Maurice Peterson's paper, a woman liaison officer should be appointed to the Overseas General Branch. Sir Maurice Peterson was to instruct Mr. Stevens to consider candidates in consultation with Mr. Woodburn; the intention being to find, either within the Ministry or outside, a woman of organising and business capacity but not necessarily with previous experience in publicity or advertising work and not necessarily with previous contacts among international organisations.