46 47 - 2 -

SECRET
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Tuesday, 29th April, 1941 .

PRESENT:-

D.G.

D.D.G.

P.S.

Sir Maurice Peterson

Lord Davidson

Mr. Radcliffe

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Gates

Prof. Rushbrook Williams) Item 2

Mr. Martin)

Mr. Grubb - for Item 3

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

1. The minutes of the meeting on 25th April were taken as read and approved. The Parliamentary Secretary reported that the B.B.C. was considering “rationing” the National Anthems of the Allies and the D.D.G. reported that in regard to Item 4 he had seen the representatives of M.I.5.

2. Propaganda through Jewish Religious Organisations

Mr. Martin explained that the suggestion for which he wanted the approval of the Board was that he should be allowed to explore with the Jewish Religious Leaders what steps should be taken to do Propaganda through the synagogues in this country and the U.S.; this might ultimately involve an addition to the staff of the Religions Division.

[FP/39/22]

Prof. Rushbrook Williams made the point that there would be undesirable repercussions in the Arab world if it became known that the Government had any sort of Jewish Attaché; that it was difficult to keep Zionism out of any question affecting Jews; and that the Jewish Board of Deputies had now been replaced by the Jewish Agency as the body negotiating with H.M.G. and the Jewish Agency was permeated with Zionism. The Colonial Office took a grave view of the proposal and had suggested that the Minister might discuss the matter with Lord Moyne.

On the Suggestion of Sir Maurice Peterson it was agreed that subject to the person ultimately appointed having no Zionist associations and his work being at least nominally confined to this country there would be no harm in accepting Mr. Martin's proposal.

3. British Air Lines in South America

Mr. Gates described the Situation which had arisen in Connection with the air line in Central America successfully run by Mr. Yerex, and the need to prevent the proposed extension of the line in South America falling entirely under the control of United States Capital. The Canadian Government seemed likely to be interested in the question and the point before the Board was how they should be approached in view of the representations being made by the Willingdon Mission and other interested parties in this country.

It was agreed that Mr. Gates should prepare a minute on the subject which could be put before the Minister for consideration by Lord Cranbourne who might be asked to communicate with Mr. Macdonald in Canada.

[RC/50/13]

4. War Diary

The list of points for the week ending 26th April which had been prepared by Mr. Balfour was discussed by the Board. It was agreed on the suggestion of the Parliamentary Secretary that Mr. Balfour should be asked to continue preparing lists on these lines for meetings of the Board on Tuesdays. The Board would then consider which of the points were worth developing and the Parliamentary Secretary himself would write a few lines on such points and submit his draft for the consideration of the Board on the Tuesday following.

In regard to the list for the week ending 26th April, it was agreed that there was no need to develop the items relating to the Minister's meeting with the American Press or to broadcasts by the Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Menzies and the Director-General. It was felt that Parliamentary Questions would not ordinarily be worth reporting unless they closely affected the work of the Ministry.

[A/380]