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SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Wednesday, 25th June, 1941.

Present :

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 20th June were taken as read and approved.

2. DEBATE IN THE LORDS

It was understood that Lord Elibank had refused to withdraw his motion for debate that day, It was agreed that Sir Maurice Peterson should attend, accompanied by Mr. Bamford and Mr. Ryan.

3. WAR DIARY

(a) Subject to the substitution of “June 1st” for “June 8th” in the first paragraph of the note about Clothes Rationing, the Parliamentary Secretary's notes for the week ending 14th June were approved. It was noted in discussion that Sir Kenneth Clark was attending that day a meeting of the Swinton Committee which had before it a paper about the effect of gossip. It was understood that a Committee which had enquired into the matter had concluded that comparatively little damage was done through gossip. It was also noted that in answer to a question in the House, the Secretary of State for War had given a misleading impression of the discussion about publication of Lord Gort's despatches.

[6p/109/1]

(b) The list of items for the week ending 21st June was approved, subject to the deletion of the reference to B.B.C. accommodation. It was noted that references were to be found in Duty Room Guidance to the Inter-Allied Meeting or June 12th.

4. DRAFTING THE INVASION COMMUNIQUÉ

It was agreed that discussion of this item should be postponed until the D.G. could be present.

5. BROADCASTING TO RUSSIA

Sir Maurice Peterson reported that the Ministry had suggested to the Foreign Office short-wave news bulletins (which could be re-broadcast) in Russian, but that after consulting M. Maisky and Sir Stafford Cripps, who did not favour the scheme, the Foreign Office had recommended against it.

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6. PROPOSED MEETINGS BETWEEN EXECUTIVE PLANNING COMMITTEE LONDON EDITORS

Sir Kenneth Clark referred to the campaign which was being undertaken to encourage a sympathetic attitude towards America among the people of this country. It was agreed that this would be a suitable opportunity for one of the meetings with the London Editors discussed by the Board on Friday, 30th May.

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