SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Wednesday, 2nd April, 1941

Present:

D.D.G.

Sir Maurice Peterson

Lord Davidson

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Radcliffe

Mr. Wellington

Mr. Gates

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

1. Minutes of the meeting on 1st April were taken as read and approved. It was reported that the D.G. was seeing Admiral Phillips about release of material for use in America about the Battle of the Bridge, and that a useful story had been released about the Ionian Sea engagement. Sir Kenneth Clark had seen Mr. Heald who was collecting the statements which had been made about the Battle of the Bridge. It was agreed that in view of the possibility of suitable publicity in America shortening the war we should do all we could to encourage American assistance in convoying.

2. TALK BETWEEN D.G. AND MR. VINCENT MASSEY

The note prepared by the D.G. was discussed, and it was agreed as follows:

[EP/101]

(1) Mr. Parker should be suggested as a liaison officer with the High Commissioner's Office in regard to meetings; Canadians should be used mainly for factory meetings.

(2) Sir Maurice Peterson was to note references made in discussion to relations with the Dominions Office and speak to Mr. Hodson or his successor to see whether relations with the High Commissioner's Office in London could be improved.

(3) Sir Maurice Peterson was to find out whether the Ministry had been consulted about the choice of journalists to visit this country; if we had not, the point should be taken up with the British Council.

(4) It was understood that all the members of the panel of three speakers were alive and further information was necessary on Mr. Massey's point that two of them had been dead for some time.

3. Letters of Recommendation.

It was agreed that some instruction to the staff was necessary to ensure that letters of recommendation, testimonials, etc., did not improperly commit the Ministry. The circular about Exit Permits should be examined with a view to framing a further circular on similar lines.

[A/697.]

4. Film Script by Mr. Priestley.

Lord Davidson reported that he had been asked to use influence to secure the release of Flight Lieutenant Richardson to take part in a film which was considered to be of good propaganda value although there were references in it which might not be acceptable to the Government. It was agreed that we should let the Admiralty know we considered the story of the film to have useful propaganda value and intimate to them at the same time that the script had been written by Mr. Priestley.

[A/82/161]