SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
TUESDAY, MARCH 2nd, 1943

PRESENT:

The Director General

The Parliamentary Secretary

The D.D.G

Mr. Francis Williams

Mr. Gates

Mr. Grubb

Mr. Royds

Mr. Grisewood

Mr. Macgregor

Commander Easton

Brigadier Neville

Admiral Carpendale

Mr. Lyne

Mr. Carter

1. REPORTS FROM SERVICE ADVISERS .

2. BURNING TANKERS.

[CN/111/86]

In connection with today's Admiralty communiqué, Commander Easton reported that the Censorship had stopped publication of some photographs of the burning blockade-runner, in conformity with the rule applying to British and Allied tankers on fire. The Board concurred in the Chairman's view that this interpretation was over-rigid, and Commander Easton was invited to discuss the question further with Mr. Francis Williams.

3. ACCOMMODATION .

[A/8/7/7]

The D.D.G. reported that proposals for readjustments in accommodation within the Ministry had reached a point at which they required consideration by the Controllers concerned. He circulated a note of the proposals, and the Chairman directed that these should be discussed on Thursday.

4. SOVIET-POLISH RELATIONS .

[N/]

Mr. Francis Williams reported that the Foreign Office were anxious that guidance should be sent out to editors asking them to refrain from further discussion of the divergent views of the Soviet and Polish authorities on postwar frontiers. It was felt that, in view of the volume and acerbity of the already published statements of both parties, such a request would be of doubtful effect and might also endanger editorial respect for the Ministry's guidance memos. The Chairman undertook to discuss the matter with the Minister before reaching a final decision.

N.B. No Minutes were issued yesterday, March 1st.