A History of the Ministry of Information, 1939-46

203 204

SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Friday, 29th August, 1941

Secretariat.

Present :

D.G.

D.D.G.

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Francis Williams

Sir Victor Schuster

Mr. Gates

Mr. Ryan

Mr. Kirkpatrick

Admiral Carpendale

General Tripp

Colonel Heywood

Mr. Nash

Mr. McIver

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

1. The minutes of the meeting on 27th August were taken as read and approved.

2. The Service Advisers and Mr. Nash and Mr. McIver reported on the day's news, and then left the meeting. Mr. McIver promised a statement later that day about casualties during the past eight weeks, which might draw attention to the low figure for the last week. General Tripp promised to enquire about a story put out by Bremen to the effect that four food ships intended for Valencia had been taken into Gibraltar.

3. CANADIAN TRANSMITTER (See minutes of Policy Committee 28.8.41)

The D.G. reported that the Minister was expecting to see Mr. Mackenzie King.

4. HOME SECURITY REPRESENTATION

The D.G. said he would speak to the Minister about correspondence with Mr. Morrison about accommodation in the Ministry.

5. PHOTOGRAPHIC ACTIVITIES

Mr. Bamford referred to a suggestion that a letter should be addressed to P.R.Os. informing them about the Ministry's intention to have the last word on the issue of photographs. It was agreed that whilst this was the intention, it would be undesirable to write to say so and the policy should simply be put into practice.

- 2 -

6. MINISTRY'S PAPER RATION

Mr. Bamford reported that the Ministry had been offered 2,500 tons, which was the amount consumed during the previous year. It was agreed that Mr. Bamford should be free to discuss 3,000 tons, which would still be less than the previous year's ration.

7. BRITISH ASSOCIATION

Mr. Francis Williams referred to a conference to be attended towards the end of September by scientists of international reputation. It was agreed that Mr. Julian Huxley's suggestion for a press conference should be accepted and that if possible broadcasting time should be made available.

8. MR. DE COURCY

The D.G. reported that Mr. de Courcy had now been turned down for military service on medical grounds. The D.G. was writing to him that day on the supposition that the Ministry would not wish to make use of his services.

We use cookies to track usage and preferences.

Privacy & Cookie Policy Accept & Close