317 318 - 2 - 319 - 3 -

EXECUTIVE BOARD.
Wednesday, 12th February, 1941

Present:

D.G.

D.D.G.

Sir Maurice Peterson

Lord Davidson

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Radcliffe

Mr. Wellington

Mr. Gates

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

1. The Minutes of the meeting on 11th February were taken as read and approved. Sir Kenneth Clark mentioned that he had heard that Major Pearson in the Commercial Relations Division fairly frequently considered suggestions about songs, with the help an Advisory Committee. It was agreed that Lord Davidson should make enquiries into the position.

2. SUGGESTION THAT AUTHORS SHOULD BE ATTACHED TO THE SERVICES.

It was understood that the suggestion now made by Mr. Priestley had been considered and turned down in the past. Sir Kenneth Clarke suggested and it was agreed that the analogy with Artists attached to the Services did not hold, it was agreed Mr. Priestley should be told we did not favour his suggestion.

[LE/2/05.]

3. ASSISTANCE FROM AMERICA.

The D. G. referred to a visit he had had from an American recommended by William Allen White Committee, who had wanted to know in what way he could be best of assistance to this country on his return to America. It was agreed that the most helpful course would be to urge the release of American ships and that the D. G.’s visitor should be put in touch with the Ministry of shipping.

[AM/3OR]

It was felt that the reply made by Mr. Churchill to President Roosevelt “Give us tools and we will finish the job” would be the best general line to take for the time being. Sir Maurice Peterson did not think we could go further.

4 POINTS OUTSTANDING FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS.

The D.G. referred to a list of points given him by the Secretary. It was understood that the position on these points was as follows: -

(a) The Committee list (3.1.4.1) was understood to be in hand. Mr. Charles, who was compiling it, should be asked to obtain from Lord Davidson's Secretary particulars of the Committee dealing with songs with which Major Pearson was connected.

(b) Lord Davidson's paper on commercial propaganda (1.1.41) would be ready for discussion by the Board very shortly.

(c) The question of terms of service for censorship staff (8.1.41) was being satisfactorily dealt with.

(d) Arrangements were proceeding for the appointment of a woman Liaison Officer to the Overseas General Branch (13.1.41)

(e) Questions affecting Regional Administration and Home Intelligence (14.1.41) were to be discussed that morning by the D.G. with the D.D.G.

(f) Mr. Radcliffe reported that he had attended a meeting with the Minister on the banning of periodicals for export (21.1.41). Mr. Morrison had been willing to introduce a Regulation to clear up the position but Sir John Anderson had preferred to leave the matter as it stood. It had been agreed that the Attorney-General should prepare in consultation with the Home Office the draft of a regulation which could be made at a later stage if it were required. It was agreed that the Ministry could not take any further action in the matter for the time being.

[HP/450]

(g) The D. G. agreed to find out the exact position of the paper which had been prepared for the Cabinet on broadcasts by officers in the services (24.1.41).

[8/17/16]

(h) The question of review of scripts had now been satisfactorily covered (27.1.41).

(i) The questions arising on publicity for Allied Governments in this country had been taken up and we were awaiting reply (28.1.41).

(j) The Board's conclusion about responsibility for tours (29.1.41) had not yet been put into effect, because Mr. Douglas Williams was preparing a paper to be considered by the Board.

(k) Mr. Nicolson had written to Mr. Mabane about circulation of the paper about care of defence but a reply had not yet been received. (4.2.41).

(l) The D.G. had spoken to the Minister about recording the Prime Minister's speeches in the House (5.2.41) and the Minister had asked to be reminded to speak to Mr. Attlee at a suitable opportunity.

[GP/]

(m) The Minister had agreed the previous day to a draft about “Stay Put” which Sir Kenneth Clark had prepared as part of the instruction on invasion (7.2.41). The Minister was to ask Sir John Anderson whether it might be released that day. Sir Kenneth Clark mentioned that he hoped some minor points would be cleared up in a meeting with the Directors of Public Relations which he was attending later in the day.

(n) The D.G. intimated that he was now satisfied the daily press summary should come to an end (14.1.41) and the D.D.G. mentioned that Miss MacLachlan was leaving the Ministry, but before going had given it as her own view that the daily summaries should be stopped. Mr. Macadam had agreed that this should be done. It was mentioned in discussion that the selections made by the Home Press Summaries Section of Questions the public were asking were useful, and it was generally agreed that they should be maintained and, further, that the strengthening of the Reference Section already in progress should be proceeded with, though it would not be intended to supply from the Reference Section material which could be easily enough obtained elsewhere in London. It was felt that the Reference Section had to be run in close association with the Home Intelligence Section.

[I/97/1.]