SECRET.
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Friday, 20th June, 1941.

Present:

D.G.

D.D.G.

P.S.

Sir Maurice Peterson

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Radcliffe

Mr. Gates

Minister

Mr. Francis Williams

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

1. The minutes of the meeting on 18th June were taken as read and approved.

2. PUBLICITY FOR BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC

Mr. Williams explained the steps that had already been taken to prepare the pamphlet agreed upon and to publicise the Battle in other ways. Mr. Kenneth Edwards was preparing a pamphlet in his spare time on the basis of material already released plus some which he hoped would be released. The principal objects of the pamphlet were to inform the public about the importance of the part they played and to draw attention to the work of the Merchant Navy. Sir Kenneth Clark outlined the other steps which were being taken and it was agreed that little further could be done at this stage.

[6P/297]

3. PUBLICITY FOR SIR CHARLES PORTAL

The D.G. described the situation which had arisen about an informal inspection being carried out that day by Sir Charles Portal. Difficulty had arisen over the number of Press representatives to be invited. It was noted that Sir Charles Portal's own view of the Ministry's functions had been quite proper but that the Ministry had not been informed in time to avoid the difficulties due to the handling of the question by the Air Ministry.

[N/]

4. SHIPPING LOSSES.

The Minister reported that a decision had now been taken to publish figures of shipping losses for this month, though not necessarily for any subsequent month. Corrected figures for previous months were also being published that day.

[X/39/1]