SECRET
JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND REUTERS
Minutes of Meeting held on 24th January at the Ministry of Information

176

Present:

D.G.

D.D.G.

Mr. Wiltshire

Sir Roderick Jones

Mr. S. Storey

Mr. W. J. Haley

Mr. Waddell Secretary

Mr. W.J. Moloney was also present.

1. The Director General referred to the type of business which he expected would come before the Joint Committee and mentioned particularly the question of excluding enemy communiqués from the Globereuter service. He said it seemed likely that many technical points would arise on which it would be useful to have the assistance of a Standing Sub-Committee. It was agreed that such a committee should be established and should consist of the Reuters’ General Managers, together with Messrs. Ridsdale, Stevens, Wiltshire, and Waddell. It would be open to the committee to co-opt, from the side of the Ministry or of Reuters, experts on particular questions who could assist in the discussions. There would be no need for the committee to confine itself to purely technical matters: questions of principle could be considered, and would, if necessary, be referred to the Joint Standing Committee. The minutes of Sub-committee Meetings should be circulated to the members of the main Committee and would be open for discussion at the meetings of the main Committee. It was appreciated that at meetings of the Sub-committee questions might arise on which one or other party would wish to make a reservation, in order to afford time for consultation with principals.

2. The method of dealing with business affecting A.F.I. was discussed and it was felt to be convenient that a Joint Standing Committee and Sub-committee of the Ministry, Reuters and A.F.I. should be established on similar lines to the Standing Committee and Sub-Committee of the Ministry and Reuters, Reuters and A.F.I. having equal representation (two representatives each).

3. The Director General referred to business which would have to be considered in the near future. It was agreed that the Sub-Committee should consider on Monday, 27th January, the exclusion of enemy communiqués and the questions

arising from the desire of United Press to obtain a footing in Singapore; which were closely related questions. Thereafter, the Committee might consider questions arising on the report recently made by Senor de la Cova.

4. It was agreed that the frequency of meetings of the main Committee must depend on the amount of business arising, but in the beginning it would probably be necessary to meet once a week. The next meeting was fixed for Thursday, 30th January, at 4.15 in the Ministry.