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SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT
Copy No. 273

The aim of this Report is to present an impartial assessment of public feeling about the war and the war effort. It is not a record of fact , except in so far as public opinion is itself a fact. The public is sometimes ill-informed, prejudiced, or inconsistent. The recording of such feelings without comment implies no endorsement of them.

The public is more prone to criticise than to praise. Good work or efficiency is usually taken for granted. An accurate record of expressed feeling will, therefore, tend to be critical rather than laudatory.

The method of compiling the Report is such that the amount of space devoted to each subject, and the order in which subjects are placed, are roughly indicative of the amount of public interest each is arousing. The omission of a subject from the Report means that it is not a matter of widespread comment.

In assessing the state of public feeling there are no absolutes. Findings can only be comparative. Each issue of this Report must therefore be read as part of a continuous series. Unless the series is seen as a whole, the significance of fluctuations in feeling cannot be appreciated.

The figures in brackets at the end of each section refer to sources of information, a list of which is given on the next page. The weekly reports from Regional Information Officers (R.I.Os.) are compiled by the Regional Intelligence Officers from a large number of sources. Details of the methods of compilation and cross-checking are contained in a paper on “How the Home Intelligence Weekly Report is made”. This will be supplied on request to the Home Intelligence Division of the Ministry of Information.

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MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT
SECRET

No. 126 4th March, 1943

(Covering the period 23rd February to 2nd March 1943)

I. GENERAL COMMENTS

1. General state of confidence and reaction to news

The slight decline in public spirits reported last week has stopped, but confidence has not quite returned to the previous high level maintained throughout February. Favourable factors include:

Unfavourable factors - which, though not sufficiently strong to have outweighed the favourable ones, have tended to curb high spirits - include:

There is again less reference to belief in early victory, though “some talk of the danger of complacency” continues to be reported. Grumbles and complaints on the Home Front are said to be “comparatively few”; tiredness and minor epidemics of flu, etc., are, however, reported from four Regions.

(1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 10. 11. 12. 13. No reports from Regions 4 and 9 this week.)

2. North Africa

Uneasiness over “Rommel's easy advances” in Southern Tunisia has been allayed by the pushing back of the Germans through the Kasserine Pass, and the knowledge that General Alexander is “now in effective control”. It is said that “rightly or wrongly his experienced leadership is widely considered responsible for the restoration of the position”.

While there is no doubt of the final outcome in North Africa, there is “some impatience for the business to be finished”; and the main “worry” now is that the set-back may retard the opening of a European front.

Confidence and pride in the Eighth Army continues to be extremely high.

The fighting qualities of U.S. troops : Feeling towards the Americans this week is said to be “fairer”: “people are more willing to make allowances for their inexperience”. At the same time, however, there is still a certain amount of criticism on the lines reported last week, and “quiet chuckles at the British Army having to extricate them from a serious position”.

General Eisenhower : Reports from eight Regions suggest that there is still some feeling about his appointment as Commander-in-Chief North Africa: “A British general experienced in Middle East warfare would have been a better choice”. By some, the appointment is regarded as a gesture to America.

The political situation : Although “some doubts” are still heard about it and about French politicians, talk appears “generally to have died away”.

(1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 10. 11. 12. 13. 21 four provincial P.Cs. 22 twenty-nine P.D.Rs.)

3. Russia and the second front

Admiration for Russian achievements remains high. At the same time, the slowing down of the advance on the Southern front has moderated optimism, and increased doubts as to whether Russia will be able to maintain her offensive when milder weather sets in. Some even go so far as to fear “another Russian retreat”.

The second front : People may be said to be divided into two main groups: those who anticipate an early opening of a European front and those who complain that it has been so long delayed. In the latter case two reports mention “a growing feeling of frustration”.

Lord Beaverbrook's speech in the House of Lords (23rd February) : Opinion is divided between resentment of his “bad belittling of our own efforts”, and approval by “people of left-wing sympathies”, for his second front demands. Resentment predominates.

M. Stalin's Order of the Day to the Red Army (21st February) : People are said to have been irritated by “Stalin's claim that Russia has been bearing the whole burden of the war”. It is considered ungracious to have failed to take account of the supplies we have sent to Russia, and the part played by our Navy and Merchant Navy in taking them via Murmansk and Iraq.

It is added that (i) “while Britain faced Germany alone, Russia supplied Germany with arms”, and (ii) “after all Russia never gave us a second front when we needed it”.

Red Army Day : Pleasure at the official celebrations continues to be reported. In two Regions there are said “to be regrets that local celebrations rather than Regional were not made the general rule”.

Speeches by members of the Government have been approved and there is said to be “less suspicion that they were talking with their tongues in their cheeks”.

(3. 5. 7. 8. 10. 12. 13. 21 fourteen provincial P.Cs. 22 fifty-six P.D.Rs.)

4. The Prime Minister's illness

There has been considerable relief at the improvement in Mr. Churchill's condition. People hope “he will look after himself in the future, and not be too impetuous”, as “what in the world should we do without him?”

“His illness did shake people”, and the bulletins were “eagerly read”. There was particular concern when pneumonia was mentioned and some criticism that “the serious nature of the illness was not disclosed to the public sooner”. Two reports suggest that people felt bad news was being kept from them “because they cannot take it”. On the other hand, in one Region the way the news was handled is praised as responsible for “keeping anxiety about Mr. Churchill level-headed rather than alarmist”.

(1. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 10. 11. 12. 21 seven provincial P.Cs. 22 thirty-two P.D.Rs.)

5. The House of Commons debate on the Beveridge Report

Great controversy over the Beveridge debate continues to be reported from all Regions except the South Eastern and Northern Ireland. In the Northern and North Midland Regions, it is still described as “Subject No. 1”. The debate in the House of Lords has produced little comment.

The main trends of opinion differ little, however, from those reported last week. The belief that the Government mishandled the debates seems to be shared by many of those who approve of the Government's attitude to the Report and of those who criticise it. Mr. Morrison continues to be the only Government speaker to receive any praise. Other opinions can be summarised under:

A. The majority - “workers” and “the working class” are particularly mentioned - are disappointed, and in some cases “frustrated” and “angry”, at what is believed to be:

(i) The Government's attitude to the Report : It seems to be widely believed that the Beveridge plan is already “dead”, or that it will “sooner or later be entirely squashed”. Doubts are expressed of “the Government's bona fides regarding post-war reconstruction”, and the Beveridge Report is said to “rank now with that other piece of superb ballyhoo, the Atlantic Charter”.

(ii) The influence of vested interests : The insurance companies are particularly “blamed for the shelving of the plan”. “Assurance Companies' agents” are alleged to have been “instructed to carry out anti-Beveridge Report propaganda among their clients, especially the least informed”, and to be already doing so. It is even rumoured in Derby that “a deputation, of the heads of the industrial insurance companies, visited Mr. Churchill and the War Cabinet and exerted some pressure (i.e. refusal of loans), and that the Government was forced to yield and scrap the Beveridge plan, but is trying to break the news gently”.

In Scotland “working people believe that the press is largely hostile and say: ‘look at the big insurance advertisements appearing at the moment. This is how the press can be bribed’”.

Other points of view expressed by sections of the disappointed majority include:

(iii) “ The Government can find the money for the war . If for killing, why not for the living?”

(iv) Loss of faith in the Labour leaders , who are thought by some workers to have “sold the working classes”.

(v) Dissatisfaction at the refusal to set up a Ministry of Social Security .

B. The minority who approve the Government's attitude are said to have increased slightly since last week. These include “business circles and lower middle classes” and seem to fall into two groups.

Need for more information : Several reports refer to the public's “ignorance of the Report and the debate” and to the need for:

(1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 10. 11. 12. 22 thirty-four P.D.Rs.)

6. The Far East

Gandhi's fast : While reports differ as to the degree of interest in this (“no comment” in one Region, “one of the week's main topics” in another), there is little doubt about the nature of people's feelings. These may be summarised as:

There is, nevertheless, reported to be a feeling that “a settlement of the Indian situation would greatly assist the progress of the war”, and that “the Government should make some gesture towards solving it, as soon as possible after the fast is ended”.

China : Interest in China is said to have been stimulated by accounts of Mme. Chiang Kai-Shek's activities in the United States, as a result of which it is hoped she will visit this country. Some concern is reported at the position in China and the lack of information from there. “It is hoped that America is helping as much as possible.”

(1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 10. 11. 12. 21 two provincial P.Cs. 22 seventeen P.D.Rs.)

7. The war in the air

R.A.F. Raids : “Interest, pride and satisfaction” are reported from five Regions this week at the “round-the-clock” bombing of Germany and the occupied countries, and three reports refer to some speculation and hopes that the raids are a “prelude to a landing in Europe”. While the raids on Cologne, Nuremberg and Wilhelmshaven were particularly appreciated, the hope is still expressed that “Rome shall not escape”.

German raids here : Some nervousness of “Tip and run raids” is reported from three Regions this week. The lack of protection against low flying aircraft is commented on, and faith in radio-location is said to have diminished. In certain districts along the South Coast, mothers are reported to keep their children away from school on cloudy days.

(1. 2. 3. 6. 8. 10. 11. 12. 22 twenty P.D.Rs.)

8. The war at sea

A further decline in interest in the war at sea and the U-boat menace is reported this week. The Prime Minister's speech and the bombing of submarine bases are both mentioned as reassuring factors. That anxiety on the subject is now confined to a minority is confirmed by Postal Censorship: according to the Liverpool branch, during the last three weeks, only one letter in every 1370 has referred to shipping and U-boats, and the Carlisle Postal Censorship unit reports an even lower proportion.

(2. 3. 7. 10. 13. 21 five provincial, one Special P.Cs. 22 three P.D.Rs.)

9. Broadcasting and presentation of news

Little comment has been reported on news presentation this week, but it is almost entirely favourable.

Tunisia : The handling of the Tunisian news is praised - “no attempt to wrap up the bad news this time” - and the restraint of the press in not criticising the Americans is appreciated. Two reports, however, mention dissatisfaction with the small scale press maps of the North African battlefront, which are described as “difficult to follow and too local and scrappy”.

Sir James' Grigg's speech on the British Army (25th February) has given great satisfaction, according to three reports. It pleased “people with relatives in the Army, some of whom are said to have been depressed by the low estimation they thought the public had of them”. Others welcomed it as “a good counterblast” to Lord Beaverbrook's speech, which was thought to “belittle our own efforts”.

B.B.C. : There is reported to be:

Praise for Lt.-Commander Woodrooffe's Postscript (21st February), described as “the type of Postscript required, instead of the banal platitudes used by most speakers”; for the radio summaries of the Beveridge debate; for Lindley Fraser's War Commentary (25th February); for the European News Service, and for the “Can I help you?” programmes. There is limited praise for Jack Minster who, “though nervous”, is thought to be improving.

Regret for Alvar Lidell; for Bruce Belfrage; for the Anvil and for Happidrome.

Criticism of “dull B.B.C. programmes” and of recent variety programmes” (Three Regions each); of the “deteriorating” Brains Trust (Two Regions); and of Marching On (20th February) - of this it is said: “Liverpool railwaymen do not speak with a Lancashire accent”.

(1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 10. 11. 12)

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS

10. Industry

Comment continues to be very slight, though there is some revival this week of stories of slackness and idle time in factories (Four Regions) which are supported by letters in Postal Censorship. Complaints have again been received, this time from factories in the North Midland Region, of time wasted in “fantastic preparations” for the visits of “Royal and other distinguished personages”, who do not always turn up. (See Weekly Report No. 124, 18th February, 1943).

Shopping difficulties of women war workers are again mentioned, this week in three Regional reports.

(3. 5. 6. 8. 10. 12. 21 four provincial, one special P.Cs.)

1. Manpower

Comment continues along the same lines as previously reported: (a) young people “skulking at home behind ‘essential war work’”, especially young men in managerial posts (Seven Regions); (b) shortage of labour in businesses, distributive trades and domestic service (Four Regions); (c) the transfer of labour which causes “worry and bewilderment” and is thought to be “a waste of manpower”; particular resentment is felt at “the moving of girls a long distance from home” (Four Regions); (d) alleged “misdirection” of womanpower, particularly women who consider that they have been directed into “less useful work” (Three Regions); (e) evasion of war work by young women, especially officers' wives (Three Regions); (f) “unsympathetic treatment” by Ministry of Labour Exchange officials (Two Regions).

(1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 10. 11. 21 one provincial, one special P.Cs. 22 five P.D.Rs.)

12. Transport and petrol

Seven Regions report transport difficulties. In the Northern Region the “situation is said to be so acute that new ideas in organisation are wanted”. There are again complaints of poor queuing arrangements; inadequate rural bus services; workers crowded off buses by short distance fares and women shoppers, particularly on market days; and the refusal of buses to “stop and pick up passengers on certain portions of their routes, even when empty”. In one district, there is said to be “complaint among the men that transport facilities are so poor they have to leave work early in order to get a place on the buses”. It is also said that ‘shift’ workers “cannot always obtain cheap tickets as these are only issued up to 8 a.m.”; it is asked whether some scheme could not be devised to cover them.

Petrol : Waste of petrol, reported from six Regions, is again said to be caused by the use of taxis for pleasure and private cars for shopping and other purposes. There is also complaint of “business ‘executives’ who regularly leave their cars outside clubs and public houses”. The Welsh Region reports that doctors complain of the petrol shortage and say that the “Government takes no notice of the wartime conditions under which they are working”.

(1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 10. 11. 12. 22 three P.D.Rs.)

13. Health

Venereal disease : Four Regions refer to the campaign against venereal disease. “The Daily Mirror's courageous and outspoken campaign is praised” and “reactions so far signify warm approval that the subject should be brought out into the open”. The campaign is said to be discussed “in a free and easy but serious manner, especially by young people”, and it is thought that “even more forceful advertisements are called for”.

Epidemics : The prevalence of epidemics is reported from four Regions. These include influenza, sore threats, bronchitis, skin and stomach troubles, and are variously ascribed to the shortage of fat and fresh fruit in the wartime diet, lack of variety of diet, and the National Bread. It is said that “among older, people especially there are signs of war strain”. “Mental weariness” is reported, - “everyone's great desire is for a holiday”.

The Rushcliffe report : During the past three weeks there has been favourable comment on this report from four Regions and Postal Censorship. “The recommendations are generally welcomed and are thought to be long overdue.”

(1. 2. 3. 8. 10. 11. 12. 21 six provincial P.Cs.)

14. Food

“We are well off, not all we would like, but all we need” still sums up the general feeling about the food situation (Seven Regions and Postal Censorship), although complaints continue from nine Regions of the shortage of fish. Allegations of “under the counter” trade and preferential treatment are again made (Five Regions). It is said in one report that “many people would like to see rationing or registration for fish introduced to bring the present queuing and shop crawling to an end”. Two reports mention the difficulties of catering for invalids owing to the fish shortage; it is asked whether special arrangements can be made for them.

Rations for small families : Three Regions refer to catering difficulties in small families. It is suggested that “more points should be allowed to those who live alone”; also that “points saved during one month might be allowed to be used during the following month as some tinned foods require a large number of points”.

Bread and confectionery : Some fear of the rationing of bread and flour is reported from two Regions, and there is still comment on the waste of bread: “many half loaves have been found in dustbins”. Northern Ireland Region reports the belief that bakers will “respond very well” to the campaign to use potato substitute for flour where possible in their confectionery.

Green vegetables : Shoppers continue to complain of the high prices of green vegetables (Two Regions). These are thought not to be warranted and some vegetables “are said to be rotting in the shop windows and gardens owing to the price”.

Tinned fruit : Certain tinned fruits, such as pineapple, pears, etc. are said to be “only obtainable at large multiple stores” and none can be got in rural districts. One report suggests that local canned fruits are pointed too high. “If less points were required for these it would encourage the public to buy in preference to imported fruits.”

Cooking of food : Complaints of bad cooking in canteens come from two Regions. Some workers prefer to go to British Restaurants. Miners also say that canteen facilities are inadequate for shift workers; “a steamed pudding, ready at midday, is like lead when warmed up time after time till 5.15 p.m.”

(1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 10. 11. 12. 13. 21 twelve provincial P.Cs. 22 twenty-five P.D.Rs.)

15. Clothing

The inadequacy of the coupon allowance now that clothes bought before rationing are worn out is reported again this week from two Regions. Most people are said to be willing to make sacrifices but those who clothe themselves entirely on the allotted coupons complain bitterly about their inadequacy when coming into contact with people who, “with family aid, are able to flaunt expensive wardrobes”.

Coupons for household goods : The demand for supplementary coupons for household goods continues (Five Regions). Hairdressers in the South Eastern Region are said to consider they should be included in the trades for which special facilities are available in view of the many towels and overalls they require.

Children's footwear and clothing : The shortage, high price and poor quality of children's footwear and clothing are reported from six Regions. Footwear problems - the shortage of boots and shoes is specified - are said to be making school attendance suffer seriously.

Stockings : The poor quality of utility stockings is again reported (Three Regions). It is pointed out that stockings that are ill-fitting are a waste of material and coupons.

Wellington boots : The shortage of Wellington boots is reported from three Regions. Mothers living in the country urge that they should be made available for small children. Some land girls are still said to be unable to obtain them.

(1. 2. 3. 5. 7. 8. 10. 12. 32.)

16. Government advertising

The National Savings “Squanderbug” advertisement is reported in two Regions to have caught the public eye and imagination, to have been “voted amusing among womenfolk”. In another Region, however, there is said to be some adverse criticism in that “the offensive nature of the advertisement defeats its object, as the majority of people refuse to pursue further a subject whose first impression is to cause aversion and offence”.

Some food growing advertisements are also said to “catch the eye and the imagination”, though the Ministry of Agriculture's “You need a plan as well as a plot” advertisement is thought to contain too much reading matter.

In a Welsh industrial area, where fish “has not been seen for weeks”, “Meet the new fish” in Food Facts is regarded as premature.

(1. 6. 7. 8)

17. Fuel

The mild weather is considered in two Regions, to have “saved” the fuel position. People are still thought to be doing their best to economise. In the North Midland Region the fuel shortage is said to have been something of a mystery to some people, for, “although many admit they have not managed to keep within their target figure, the Ministry has announced that the saving has been sufficient”.

The poor quality of coal is again complained of. It is said to contain a large percentage of dust.

The suggestion is made from the North Eastern Region that an allowance of coke to tomato growers during March and April would result in many tons of this fruit being produced months earlier.

(1. 2. 3. 10. 21 two provincial P.Cs.)

18. Shortage of batteries

There are only six regional references to the shortage of cycle lamp batteries and four to the shortage of torch batteries this week, as against nine and seven last week. In the Northern Region there is said to be a slight easing of the situation in one area; this has “called forth the question why extra supplies are issued now when the days are getting longer and not when they were needed”.

(1. 2. 5. 6. 7. 10. 22 twenty-seven P.D.Rs.)

III. MONTHLY SUMMARY OF CONSTANT TOPICS NO. 7

(Covering the period from 2nd February to 2nd March 1943)

All new topics arising for the first time are included in the main Weekly Reports. The following have lost their novelty, while still retaining their importance for large sections of the public. They are arranged according to the frequency with which they have been reported.

No subject has been included to which fewer than nine references have been made during the past month. The following subjects, included in this list last month, are now omitted, as references to them have considerably decreased: (i) Inadequate collection of salvage (ii) Unfair treatment of the small business (iii) Lack of wartime nurseries and other facilities for looking after war workers' children (iv) Shortage of Wellington boots.

Transport difficulties

Inadequacy of clothing coupons and demand for household coupons

Shopping difficulties and food queues

Waste of petrol

Shortage and high price of housing accommodation and difficulty of billeting workers

Too many young women in civilian jobs and evading the call-up

Preferential treatment of certain customers by shopkeepers

Anti-Semitism

Compulsory fire-watching for women

Rationing difficulties of small families and people living alone

Disparity in pay

High pay of juveniles

Inadequacy of Servicemen's pay and dependants' allowances and pensions

Shortages

Shortage of fish

Shortage of cycle lamp batteries

Shortage of torch batteries

Shortage and poor quality of children's clothing and footwear

Shortage and poor quality of adults' clothing and footwear

Shortage and high price of crockery and glass and kitchenware

Shortage of shell eggs

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REFERENCES

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