SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Thursday. 10th April, 1941.

PRESENT:

D.D.G.

P.S.

Sir Maurice Peterson

Lord Davidson

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Radcliffe

Mr. Cates

Mr. Macgregor

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

1. The minutes of the meeting on 9th April were taken as read and approved. Discussion on Item No.3 (B.B.C. Propaganda Research Reports) was postponed to the following day.

2. Allocation of paper to ensure Distribution of Sunday Papers in Eire.

Mr. Radcliffe explained that the Empire Division felt it important in keeping the National case before Eire that newspapers (particularly Sunday papers) should continue to reach Eire from this country. It had been suggested that as the proprietors in this country could not afford paper to distribute in Eire the Ministry should assist by making a special allocation to certain newspapers. The D.D.G. drew attention to difficulties which were bound to arise if once the policy were embarked upon of making special allocations of news-print for papers in English. The Minister had taken a stand against doing so in other connections and the question would have to be put to him before the present proposals were pursued. It was agreed that the Empire Division should put up the question to Sir Maurice Peterson who would consider how far its importance would call for further consideration.

[EP/108/24]

3. Inadequacy of Information.

[N/121]

The Parliamentary Secretary referred to the difficult position in which the Ministry was placed by its inability to prepare public opinion on vital questions through not being able to obtain sufficient advance information - particularly from the Service Departments. It was felt that the essential change from the present position would be for those 28 - 2 -who have secret information to recognise that they must spread [illegible] if the public was in fact to be suitably prepared.

It was agreed that the means of keeping the Ministry properly informed were at present unsatisfactory and that the D.G. should be invited to bring the matter to the notice of the Minister.

4. “The Road to Bordeaux”

Sir Kenneth Clark referred to the suggestion that paper should be made available for further copies of the pamphlet “The Road to Bordeaux”, which dealt with the troubles caused by refugees on the roads in France. The Committees of Directors of Public Relations felt that publicity of this sort should now come to an end but the War Office seemed eager that it should continue. It was agreed that the question was primarily for the Lord President's Committee.

[LE/97/42]

It was reported that the invasion leaflet was being put to the Cabinet on the question whether it should be issued at this time.