41 42 - 2 -

SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Tuesday, 22nd April, 1941

Present:

D.G.

D.D.G.

P.S.

Sir Maurice Peterson

Lord Davidson

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Radcliffe

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Gates

Minister

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

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

2. War Diary (See minutes of meeting on 8th and 11th April)

The Secretary reported that it would he convenient if the list of items proposed for the War Diary could be considered at meetings of the Board on Tuesdays instead of on Fridays. This was agreed.

[A/380.]

3. The Battle of the Atlantic

The papers which had been circulated were considered and it was agreed that the material outlined should be distributed in pamphlet form on the lines of the “Battle of Britain” pamphlet. It was agreed that the most effective way of securing the answers to the various questions raised would be to prepare for the information of the Departments concerned a general plan, of which copies could be sent to each Department along with the particular questions to which each could provide answers.

[LE/97/47]

[[illegible] 6P/39/272 AM/111.T.F)]

4. Attendance of the Minister

The D.G. reported that the Minister had agreed to attend meetings of the Board on the two days in the week following Cabinet Meetings so that he could impart to the Board any information useful to the Members.

[A/634]

P.T.O.

The Minister referred to discussions the previous week with the Prime Minister about the inadequacy of information from the fronts, and reported upon an interview the Prime Minister had had with the London Press.

5. Campaign for Ministry of Works and Buildings

The D.G. referred to a letter he had received from Lord Southwood in connection with this campaign and it was agreed that the proposals should be considered by Mr. Vaughan in association with Finance. It was noted that no progress could be made with the campaign until the Treasury received recommendations from the Ministry of Information.

[6p/291.]

6. Information for U.S. Office of Production and Management

Lord Davidson referred to a request received through the B.L.I. for information about priority arrangements in this country; it was agreed that further information should be obtained about the authority behind the request before any action was taken on it.

7. The Marseillaise

The D.D.G. mentioned that offence was being caused in unoccupied France by the description of the Marseillaise as the National Anthem of Free France. Sir Maurice Peterson agreed to bear this point in mind, although it seemed difficult to approve any other form of words.

8. Treatment of Air Ministry News by the B.B.C .

Mr. Radcliffe referred to discussion at a Duty Room meeting when it appeared that Mr. Ryan had not been quite clear how far the B.B.C. could alter material put out by the Air Ministry News Service. It was agreed that, through Mr. Ryan, it would be quite proper for the Ministry to give directives and draw attention to any failure to observe them.

The D.G. said he would discuss the matter with Mr. Ryan.