SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28th, 1943

PRESENT:

The Director General

Parliamentary Secretary

The D.D.G.

Mr. Francis Williams

Mr. Gates

Mr. Routh

Mr. Royds

Mr. Cruikshank

Mr. Hamilton

Mr. Grisewood

Mr. Macgregor

General Tripp

Brigadier Neville

Admiral Carpendale

Mr. Lyne

1. REPORTS FROM SERV1CE ADVISERS .

2. UNITED NATIONS DAY.

[HP. 940.]

Mr. Gates reported that the question of United Nations Day had been discussed by the United Nations Information Board in Washington. The Board had agreed that it was desirable to recognise one day in each year for general action by all states; but there was no final agreement on the selection of a day. Hitherto, two different days have had something of that character in the United States; January 1st, the date of the Declaration of United Nations has been especially recognised in Washington, but June 14th had been given a wider recognition. June 14th, however, is American Flag Day and the American Flag Association would prefer to keep this day for observance of their own flag.

In a discussion of the value of the day, Mr. Royds said it was very successful last year in many towns throughout the country. Mr. Routh said that it had been popular also in a number of Middle Eastern countries, but he maintained that there was no case for changing the date from June 14th, on which it had been started. The Chairman suggested that, if the day was to be observed at all, it should be more soundly established, on the lines of Armistice Day.

It was agreed that a paper should be prepared by the Home, Overseas and American Divisions asking the Cabinet for a decision on the holding of the day, and recommending that the date should be June 14th.

3. RED ARMY DAY .

[HP. 998.]

Mr. Gates raised the question of a Red Army Day in February 1944. It was agreed that this would probably be an important obligation, but that Cabinet approval should be obtained. Mr. Gates was invited to prepare a brief note on what was done last year.

N.B . No Minutes have been issued since October 21st, 1943.