A History of the Ministry of Information, 1939-46

239 240 - 2 -

KL
SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Wednesday, 8th January 1941

Present:

D.G.

D.D.G.

Sir Maurice Peterson

Lord Davidson

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Radcliffe

Mr. Wellington

Mr. Gates

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Wiltshire

Mr. Waddell - Secretary

1. The Minutes of the Meeting on 7th January were taken as read and approved subject to the insertion of “The Minister had accepted this view “before the last sentence of the first paragraph of Minute No. 5 (B.B.C. Ban on Pacifists).

2. RESERVATION AND DEFERMENT OF SERVICE

[(a copy of encl.)]

The paper circulated was discussed. As regards the B.B.C., it was noted that the B.B.C. was required to submit a list of the administrative and executive staff for which they required exemption to the Ministry of Labour, and that they had promised to do so some time ago. The difficulty of putting to the Ministry of Labour requests for reservation and deferment in such general terms as we had from the B.B.C. was appreciated. In making the case to the Ministry of Labour it was not yet possible to prejudge the question of the future large expansion of the B.B.C. We could refer to it, but could not guarantee it at present.

In regard to the Press, discussion arose about the line the Ministry had taken in supporting individual applications for reservation and deferment. It was finally agreed that the procedure adopted was justified in the circumstances.

With regard to Press Photographers, it was agreed that an official letter should be drafted with Mr. Radcliffe's assistance.

Mr. Francis joined the meeting for discussion about the classes of Press Photographers in which the Ministry was interested, and explained that our concern with freelancers was not with freelancers as a class, so much as with certain “assignment” men. We normally issue permits to such men and it would be highly desirable to keep their services. It would not be easy to argue a case for reservation or deferment on a basis of categories in this type of case, and it was recognised that the Ministry might have to accept the calling up of the assignment men. In connection with the difficulty of selecting the assignment men whose cases we should desire to support, it was suggested that the criteria should be the same as those now applied in the issue of permits. This was to be explored.

3. TERMS OF SERVICE OF CENSORSHIP STAFF

Mr. Radcliffe referred to a difficulty in which he was being put by the readiness with which censors had been leaving the employment of the Ministry for more remunerative work elsewhere, and asked whether it would be possible to make service terminable on six months’ notice on either side. It was thought this might help us to retain the services of good men who felt the arrangements for one month's notice, given the comparatively low salaries, did not give sufficient security of tenure. It was agreed that Mr. Bamford should examine in consultation with Mr. Radcliffe and Mr. Woodburn the possibility of special arrangements being agreed with the Treasury for the Service of censorship staff.

[A/639].

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