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SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD.
Wednesday, 19th February, 1941.

Present:

D.G.

D.D.G.

Sir Maurice Peterson.

Lord Davidson.

Sir Kenneth Clark.

Mr. Radcliffe.

Mr. Fraser.

Mr. Wellington.

Mr. Gates.

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

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

2. Instructions by Radio in the event of Invasion

Sir Kenneth Clark explained that the Paper which had been circulated did not by any means represent a full account of the considerations involved. He had accompanied the Minister in a discussion with Sir John Anderson the previous day and it appeared that the two Ministers were on the whole in favour of using the radio for purposes of instruction. He had been aware of most of the background of discussion on the B.B.C. Security Measures Committee and elsewhere which was outlined by the D.D.G. and he appreciated that difficult security questions arose in connection with the proposal; his present concern, however, was that the Ministry should have an agreed policy which he could, if necessary, explain as such.

[Re/186/23]

The D.D.G. said that the ruling of the War Cabinet was that in the event of invasion wireless should not be used for instruction. For the purposes of the Ministry, however, it was not felt to be sufficient that notices and announcements should be given by wireless and it was agreed that the D.G. should suggest to the Minister an approach to the Prime Minister with a view to the ruling being reversed.

During the discussion the D.G. mentioned the problem of communication facing the Civil Defence Regions and it was agreed that in view of the risk of interruptions it was of great importance that a ruling should be obtained on whether instruction could be given to the public by radio.

3. Emergency Movement from London.

The D.G. asked how matters stood at present in connection with plans for movement to the emergency stations designated for the Ministry's staff. The D.D.G. explained that the general question of evacuation of the Ministry must be regarded as in abeyance for the time being, and he referred to arrangements being made for compilation of a priority list within the Ministry and for complete arrangements to facilitate working underground. It was generally agreed that the main concerns of the Ministry in emergency must be the maintenance of existing communications.

[A/349]

4. National Anthems .

Sir Maurice Peterson referred to a reply received from the Foreign Office suggesting that in view of the importance to the Allies of encouraging national spirit, etc., in Luxembourg the National Anthem should be played by the B.B.C. at least once in six weeks. Other courses had been considered by the Ministry but it had been felt that for the time being the eight National Anthems (including our own) should be continued on Sunday evening and that the Luxembourg National Anthem could be played once every six weeks. This course was agreed and it was understood that if for any reason the B.B.C. found it impossible to carry it out the matter should be raised in the Policy Committee. The D.G. said that he would mention the matter to the Minister that day.

[B/6/19]

5. Committee of Directors of Public Relations .

Sir Kenneth Clark reported that at a recent meeting of this Committee when he had not been present it had been decided that Departments concerned by items in the instruction to the public about invasion should be indicated against the item. It was felt that this was an undesirable course, and that Sir Kenneth Clark should represent to the Committee the view of the Ministry that as the agent of the Government for issuing the statement the Ministry of information should be indicated as responsible or H.M.G. alone should be indicated. It could be suggested that any other course would be contrary to the doctrine of Cabinet responsibility. The D. G. undertook to put this view, if necessary, to the permanent heads of any Departments concerned.

[GP/267.]

[X/189]

6. At Lord Davidson's suggestion it was agreed that in view of the difficulty of securing agreement among the Departments concerned the Paper he had been preparing on propaganda in connection with the export trade should not be proceeded with (see minutes of meeting on January 1st.)

[CR/54]