84

SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Wednesday, 21st May, 1941

Present:

D.G.

D.D.G.

Sir Maurice Peterson

Lord Davidson

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Radcliffe

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Gates

Mr. Beddington

Colonel Bromhead

Mr. Bernstein

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

1. Subject to an amendment in the first paragraph on page 2, to read as below the minutes of the meeting on 20th May were approved:

“It was suggested and agreed that in order to meet the Ministry's difficulties the Minister might be asked to represent to the Service Departments the desirability of delegating some senior officer of each Department to decide question concerning films and photographs. Reference was made in this connection of the possibility of increasing the personal staffs of the two Secretaries of State and the First Lord”.

[F/140]

It was understood that in view of the Minister's absence through sickness the meeting with the Service Departments would not take place that week.

2. FILM MAGAZINE

The paper circulated was discussed. Colonel Bromhead explained that he had doubts about the policy indicated in it, since he felt that adequate circulation was not assured and there might not be sufficient material to keep going a magazine of good quality. It was felt also that it would be necessary to consult the British Council about what was proposed before commencing production.

[F/]

Mr. Bernstein explained that the intention would be to produce a sort of “Picture Post” in films. He did not think it likely that there could be any conflict with the function of the British Council or with the News Reel Companies since cultural matters and topical news would not 85 -2-enter into it. He felt little doubt about distribution since the Ministry was assured of support from Warner’s in America and distribution within the Empire could be arranged. It was understood that the virtue of the Magazine as compared with the Ministry's five-minute films would be in providing the continuity of a series.

It was agreed that in order to give some indication of the material likely to be used the Films Division should have a sample issue of the Magazine prepared and shown in the Ministry, and should prepare an outline of the material proposed for inclusion in a number of succeeding issues.

3. INTERCEPTED MATERIAL OF ENEMY ORIGIN.

The Paper prepared by Mr. Bamford was approved; Mr. Radcliffe expressed the view that it would be advisable to wait until trouble arose over the use of material of enemy origin in films, photographs or in other ways. It was agreed that it would be a mistake to give any sort of guarantee against damages for infringement of copyright to users in the British Empire or in foreign countries.

[A/992]

4. FUNCTIONS OF THE MINISTRY.

The D.G. reported that at a meeting of the Defence Committee (Operations) a Sub-Committee had been established consisting of Lord Beaverbrook, Mr. Eden and the Minister in order to determine propaganda policy in America, The Minister had not been present at the meeting and the D. G. was proposing to attend that day a meeting of the Sub-Committee accompanied by the Parliamentary Secretary. He felt, and the Board agreed, that the opportunity ought to be taken to point out that the difficulties which had brought about the establishment of the Sub-Committee were general difficulties in which the Ministry was involved through not being fully informed of the facts on various situations. It was pointed out also that the Minister had asked the War Cabinet for guidance on the objectives of propaganda in America, but guidance had not been forth-coming.

[A/46]

5. ECONOMY.

The D.G. said he wished to take the opportunity of bringing to the notice of Controllers (who should pass on the warning to staffs under them) the mounting expenditure of the Ministry. He felt that caution was very necessary since the Ministry might find itself obliged to retrench on some proposal which was of vital importance.

[A/581]