A History of the Ministry of Information, 1939-46

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SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT
Copy No. 280

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. 138 27th May, 1943

(Covering period 18th to 25th May, 1943)

I. GENERAL COMMENTS

1. General state of confidence and reaction to news

The general level of spirits everywhere remains very high. “The clearance of North Africa, the Ruhr dam raid and Mr. Churchill's speech in quick succession have impressed people more than they can express”, and the general feeling of satisfaction is “stronger, probably, than at any period of the war”. There is, however, “some uneasiness over the civilian casualties” in the flooded Ruhr.

“An air of expectancy that something will happen somewhere very soon” continues to be widespread, though “speculation as to the point of attack appears now to have died down a little”.

Much “wishful thinking” is reported about the possible duration of the war. “More and more people” are said to be “hoping that the war against Hitler may end this year”: even “cautious people are talking glibly of the war being finished before Christmas”. “There does, however, appear to exist on balance a very lively belief that the bitterest fighting is still to come.”

Apart from “extremely strong feeling over the distribution system for the new ration books”, comment upon difficulties on the Home Front remains slight, and may be summed up in the words of a writer quoted by Postal Censorship: “Why worry about handles to the cups when the news is so good, and the Duce's African Empire torn from shred to shred?” Four reports indicate that, though much of the “strain and anxiety have been lifted, the physical fatigue remains”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. 21 eleven provincial P.Cs. 22 passim 32.)

2. The Prime Minister's visit to Washington

Mr. Churchill's visit to Washington has caused great satisfaction but “less surprise and comment than his previous journeys”, as people are said to be “getting used to them”. Admiration for the Prime Minister is said to be higher than ever, and the visit is applauded as another instance of his “virility and far-sightedness”. Such meetings are regarded as evidence of “close co-operation between the English speaking peoples, which is necessary for victory”: “they have come to be looked on as the forerunner of an offensive”. There is still some regret that Stalin could not be present.

Suggestions as to the purpose of the conference include:

  1. “To plan the final campaign against Japan.” Hence the presence of Field-Marshal Sir Archibald Wavell.

  2. To plan the next offensive against Germany, in which case “it may well take six or seven months before the plans can be put into operation”. Most people, however, think this must have been planned at Casablanca.

  3. “To combat the views of those Americans who think of the war principally as a war against Japan, and are not anxious to send their troops to Europe.”

  4. To arrange Italian peace terms.

  5. To “plan long term developments”, such as “post-war plans for dividing the world into spheres of influence with central governments, e.g. U.S.A., British Empire, Russia, etc.”.

  6. To “confer with Roosevelt how to put Stalin in his place”.

  7. To “discuss French ‘unity’”.

  8. To settle the Russo-Polish dispute.

The Speech to Congress : Mr. Churchill's Congress speech has been enthusiastically received and was regarded by many as “his greatest yet” - “the speech of a master”. People were “cheered” and “inspired” by his “happy, confident tone”, and were “greatly pleased to hear Mr. Churchill giving ‘the sort of talk we like from him’”.

It is generally thought that “Mr. Churchill showed a great understanding of the Americans” and that “his words will have done much to improve relations between the United States and this country” (in Scotland, “a few did not like his buttering up the Americans so much”). “As a propagandist, he makes Goebbels look an amateur”.

Comment, as well as controversy, is said to be less detailed than usual, because the speech “came at a moment when so many things were happening”.

Interest was chiefly aroused by:

  1. “The Prime Minister's firm promise that we will prosecute the war against Japan to the very end.” It is thought that this will “dispel any American doubts”, and some irritation is reported that “Americans should be so worried about attack from the Japanese when they are so many thousands of miles away” and when we are so close to the Germans. A few wonder whether “the amount of stress laid by the Prime Minister on the Far Eastern theatre of war may be a prelude to switching interest from a European invasion to this front”.

  2. His reference to the intensified bombing of Germany, which it is suggested may mean that this is to take the place of a land invasion. (See Section 5, The next move )

  3. His “tribute to the Allies, particularly the Russians, greatly pleased the public”, though some were disappointed that he omitted “the smaller Allies, except Holland”.

  4. Minor points of criticism are that he “praised Giraud and did not mention de Gaulle”, and that by saying ‘Corporal Hitler’, he casts aspersions on N.C.Os.

The Home Guard broadcast : Comment about this has largely died down. It was regarded as “a nice pat on the back for the Home Guard”, but disappointing to those who were expecting a “rousing Churchillian speech” on the Tunisian victory.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. 21 seven provincial P.Cs. 22 seventy-three P.D.Rs.)

3. The Allied air offensive

“The growing momentum” of the Allied air offensives gives widespread satisfaction. It is generally believed that the war will be considerably shortened by “the thoroughness of our attempt to destroy German resources and communications”. Though it is felt that “a fairly long period of air attack is a necessary prelude to invasion by land, Sir Archibald Sinclair's speech (21st May) is said to have increased the belief “that the Axis may be blasted out of the war by air attack alone”.

The bombing of the German dams has been “widely acclaimed as a daring achievement - the finest thing the R.A.F. have done yet”, and “a great blow to German war production and morale”. Even in the rural areas of Somerset, where news usually travels slowly, “the great event was discussed by farm labourers on their way home from work”. While the news of the raid was greeted with elation and excitement, some “uneasiness and dismay are said to have set in” later, particularly after the press reports of very heavy civilian casualties in the Ruhr valley; newspapers are criticised for giving prominence to the destruction of civilians. It is suggested by some people that “such floods are deliberate letting loose of the forces of nature - not far removed from epidemics of germs”. Approval is, however, considerably stronger than doubt; and regrets, chiefly from women, of “the uncontrolled loss of civilian life” are countered by such arguments as “dams are legitimate military objectives”, and “one can't draw the line between one kind of beastliness and another in total war”. Others feel that Nazi cruelty and ruthlessness in the occupied countries, and their bombing of our towns, justify such raids - “hang it all, they've asked for it”. Only a very small minority suggest that “this reduces us to the level of the Nazis, and violates the principles which are supposed to be guiding us”.

Great credit is given for the careful and secret preparations, and to the courage and daring of the pilots and their crews. Amazement is expressed at the immense amount of devastation at so small a loss to ourselves, and very little comment is reported on “the regretted but necessary cost of life - some of our best pilots, but worth it”.

Strong criticism of “the unnecessary publicity given to the Jewish informer story” is widely reported. It was felt to have been “a masterpiece of short sightedness; the press should never have been allowed to print it, as it will incite the Nazis to re-double their persecution of the Jews in Europe”.

Very little comment on the possibilities of retaliation is reported. In Wales, reprisals on Welsh reservoirs are feared, though it is realised that by comparison these are very small objectives; elsewhere the feeling exists that we have no comparable targets and that the dams we do possess are well guarded.

Raids on Germany : Although the dam raid has monopolised interest, “the round the clock bombing” of Germany continues to be approved, and the bombing of Berlin gives particular satisfaction. Preliminary reactions (One Region) to the Dortmund Raid on May 25 suggest that “these big raids are almost being taken for granted”.

The Mediterranean offensive : News of the concentrated attacks on Italy and her islands are received with great interest. There is some feeling that “Italy will not be able to stand the strain for long, and that we may be able to bomb her out of the war”; it is thought that attacks on Rome in particular “might lead quickly to insurrection and surrender”. Many hope that the city will not be spared (Seven Regions).

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. 21 six provincial P.Cs. 22 ninety P.D.Rs.)

4. Tunisia

While “great pleasure and jubilation over the victory in North Africa continue”, Tunisia, as a topic of conversation, is becoming “a thing of the past”. Comment, for the most part, follows the lines of that in our last two reports. There is still “surprise at the remarkable collapse of the enemy and the number of prisoners taken, thankfulness that the campaign is over, admiration for the British generals and for the splendid co-operation of the Allied armies and the three arms of the Services”.

Apart from these, the main points mentioned this week are:

Leave : “Will the First and Eighth Army boys get rest and a proper leave before going on?” (Five Regions). There is said to be “a very ardent claim that men who have served several years in the Middle East may, if possible, be allowed leave at home”. Many of their relatives are actually said to be expecting them home on leave.

General von Arnim (Four Regions): Indignation is reported as a result of a belief that “the British Government is paying a captured German General over £2,000 a year, because of a law made in 1929 by the Geneva Conference”. There is comment on the lines of: “They don't treat us like that; we don't even treat our own men like that - look at Sergeant Hannah, V.C.”. Even those who realise that von Arnim is only receiving £16 a month consider it a pity to have published the fact.....“Observe the terms of the Geneva Conference, but don't make a song and dance about it.” There is also an impression that the captured generals are living in “luxurious surroundings”.

Generals Alexander and Montgomery are rumoured to be in England: the latter is said to have been seen in a London theatre, in Whitehall and in Penzance.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. 21 fourteen provincial P.Cs. 22 one hundred and two P.D.Rs.)

5. The next move

There is little new to report. Operations against Europe are anticipated in the near future; many expect it to “begin any day”, and some “thought it would have started by now”. Everyone is said to “understand what we are up against”, and there is mention of “latent apprehension” about the probable loss of life (Three Regions).

Though there is said to be some decrease in speculation about the actual places to be attacked, many people still “argue for hours about it”, and “all sorts of pet theories are held” - ranging, as before, round the whole coastline of Europe. Mr. Lyttelton's statement (May 22, Aldershot) that he knows where the blow will fall is said to have aroused irritation and criticism (Four Regions), as, for reasons which are not very clearly defined, such remarks are considered “unwise and ill-advised”. It appears that “boasting about secret knowledge” makes people fear for its secrecy; and, since one of his previous prophecies was thought by the public to be unreliable, his present “implied promise” is questioned; “if it is not swiftly carried out, people will feel they have been cheated and let down”.

Italy : There is much talk about Italy, and “most people point to the smashing of Italy as the next step”. It is believed Italy would soon crack if she were attacked, and “a good few think that this might be achieved without her even being attacked”. Some people say that the “blitz on Italy” and press publicity about conditions in that country are just “to put us off the scent, and that we shall wake up one morning to find the Allies have started an offensive somewhere else”. A minority, however, are “suspicious that reports of separate peace moves by Italy may be some sly game of Hitler's to lead us into a trap”. A few interpret Mr. Churchill's “restraint in dealing with Italy” in his Congress speech as “evidence that peace negotiations are going on between representatives of Italy, America and Britain”.

People's attitude towards the Italians appears to be one of contempt rather than bitterness. “Their treachery, their cruelty to the natives in Abyssinia, their request to have the honour of sharing in the bombing of London, and their general lack of courage when up against it do not make for sympathy”; but most people seem to hope that, even if we do not severely defeat her in battle - as some wish - we will make sure that “the elimination of Italy is unconditional and complete and that there is no possibility of double dealing”.

Is our air offensive a substitute for the second front ? Discussion is reported from six Regions as to the possibility of heavy air attacks being made “a substitute for a second front”. This new “subject for speculation” appears to have been created by the Prime Minister's reference, in his Congrees speech, to the experiment being well worth trying; Sir Archibald Sinclair's speech (May 21) is also said to have “given point to the view that bombing might supersede a land invasion”. Although some appreciate the advantage of “saving heavy loss of life among Allied soldiers”, the proposal is said “not to be popular in all quarters”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13. 21 six provincial P.Cs. 22 fifty P.D.Rs.)

6. Air raids on this country

It is generally thought that small raids on this country, particularly in coastal districts, will continue, but people do not appear very concerned; “it's all in the day's work and will make people realise there's a war on, and that Germany has not yet collapsed”.

London : A little uneasiness and some tiredness are reported as a result of the continual alerts last week, but it was felt that “the poor efforts of the Luftwaffe were consoling”.

Hastings and district : The recent daylight raid on Hastings has given rise to criticism of (i) The “unnecessary publicity about the ‘Wings for Victory’ week” which is thought to have occasioned the raid; (ii) The alleged announcement by the B.B.C. on May 23 that “the enemy had switched from tip-and-run raids to night attacks, the former having proved unsuccessful”: this is looked on as gratuitous help for the enemy; (iii) The removal of A.A. guns from the district, and alleged lack of vigilance of the Observer Corps, attributed to a recent local lull in raids.

Cardiff : More detailed reports confirm the preliminary statements that public morale was excellent. During the raid it is said that the diving of enemy planes perturbed people more than the actual dropping of bombs, but no panic is reported - nor was there any voluntary evacuation; and there was “little evidence to suggest that any looting took place”. The following day flags were flying from many housetops. Some concern is reported, however, (i) as to whether the publicity given to the “Wings for Victory” week had any connection with the raid; and (ii) about the alleged inadequacy of the defences.

North Eastern coastal areas : Recent raids on North Eastern coastal towns do not appear to have seriously affected morale, except in one area where the alleged disorganisation of the Rest Centre service, and two raids in quick succession, are said to have been responsible for the temporary “low spirits” of the citizens. But there is reported to be bitter criticism about the alleged lack of adequate fighter and A.A. protection for Sunderland and South Shields, and the absence of a balloon barrage in Sunderland. Rumours are circulating about “a creeping bomb” which is alleged “to move around and finally explode in a place where it is least expected”.

Leaflets dropped by the enemy on the night of May 15th were met with mixed curiosity and ridicule. In some cases, information about sinkings was said to be demonstrably false, but workers in one Tyneside shipyard who had read the leaflets, approached the management for correct information about the alleged sinking of fifteen of the ships they had built. They were disappointed that fuller information could not be given. Many people are said to be waiting for “the next instalment” of leaflets which has been promised.

South Western coastal areas : Recent enemy air activity over the Bristol and Weston-super-Mare areas is reported to have been met with philosophical calm, and “some nervous alarm among the elderly seems to be outweighed by the ‘all in a day's work’ attitude of the majority”. Praise for the Civil Defence and Fire-watching services is reported, though it is suggested that the personnel should be more careful over wearing tin hats during A.A. fire.

The Aberdeen raid : Stories are still circulating that the A.A. fire was poor, and that there were no night fighters up in the recent Aberdeen raid. The rumour that a Nazi plane surrendered in the neighbourhood continues to be mentioned.

(1. 3. 5. 5SE. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 21 one provincial P.C. 22 seven P.D.Rs.)

7. Russia

There is still very little comment about the military situation in Russia. There is some feeling that “the storm will break at any time”, and opinion is about equally divided as to who will attack first. A few think that “the German offensive has been delayed by the Axis collapse in Tunisia”, or “that Russia is delaying a fresh onslaught to synchronise with the coming landing of the Allies on the Continent”. “Faith in Russia's military strength” is somewhat greater than “doubt of her ability to stem the tide”. Admiration is reported for “the tenacity of the Russians”.

A slight feeling of fear is reported that “our contribution to the Russian defence will be no more than an intensification of bombing of German industrial centres”.

Disbandment of the Comintern : News of the decision to disband the Comintern has been greeted with general satisfaction, although most people had not known of its existence. It is regarded as a “friendly and statesmanlike gesture” on the part of the Russians, “a real move towards better understanding”, and “a clever blow at Goebbels' Bolshevik Bogey propaganda”. A few raise doubts - “it's easy to announce a dissolution”, and “anyhow, they couldn't meet during the war”. More thoughtful people suggest the deed was done for the special benefit of American and Catholic opinion.

There is some curiosity, especially among the politically minded minority, about the effect the dissolution may have on the Communist Party here and on left-wing politics in general. “Will the funds of the Communist Party and the Daily Worker dry up?”

Russian-Polish dispute : Comment has greatly declined although “this unfortunate business continues to cause concern”, and in some areas there is a further slight hardening of feeling against the Poles. The dispute is said to have “increased awareness of difficulties to be faced at the end of the war” and to have raised doubts of “close and effective contact between Russian and the other United Nations”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 8. 9. 10. 11. 21 one provincial P.C. 22 twenty-four P.D.Rs.)

8. The Far East

Thanks to the Prime Minister's speech, and the news about the Commando operations in Burma, interest has increased. In spite of agreement with the former, and admiration for the latter, disappointment and concern about the fighting in Burma, continue to be reported. Though it is “felt that we have a tough proposition before us that does not improve with keeping”, it is generally accepted that we must “finish the European war first, and deal with the Japs later”.

Prisoners of war in Japanese hands “remain a source of anxious concern”; “news of some of our boys” continues to be asked for, and the recent release of names has given widespread satisfaction.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 8. 10. 13. 21 one provincial P.C. 22 twelve P.D.Rs.)

9. North African politics

“Impatience over the Giraud-de Gaulle situation” continues. “It is thought that the whole affair is alienating the sympathy of the British for the French”. It is also said that “sympathy is beginning to drift away from de Gaulle”, and that “if he doesn't arrive very shortly in Africa he will be left out of the picture”.

Some relief is now expressed, however, at the prospect that “Giraud and de Gaulle are getting together at last”.

(1. 3. 5. 9. 11)

10. The war at sea

Very little comment and much less anxiety over the shipping position is reported this week. It is thought that “we may be getting the upper hand at last”. Increased confidence is believed to be due to “the recent encouraging statements by responsible Ministers”, to great faith in the Royal Navy, and to a belief in the effective employment of a new secret weapon.

The desire for more information, however, continues to be reported from four Regions.

(1. 3. 5. 5SE. 7. 8. 9. 10. 22 eleven P.D.Rs.)

11. Home Guard Sunday

Further appreciation of the Home Guard parades and admiration for their smartness are recorded this week. Praise is accorded to the hard work and effort which must have been put into their training. The parades and Mr. Churchill's speech are felt to have had an excellent effect.

Mention is again made in one Region of doubts - not shared by the Home Guards themselves - as to their ability to meet sudden attack. The feeling that Home Guards on A.A. sites do not fire very accurately is also mentioned.

(1. 3. 5. 7. 10. 21 three provincial P.Cs. 22 nine P.D.Rs.)

12. The Beveridge Report and the post-war world

While a general interest in post-war problems continues on familiar lines, there is rather more concern about the post-war prospects of certain trades, industries and professions. Agriculture, mining, small private businesses, and the medical profession are specified.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 7. 8. 10)

13. Rifleman Clayton

There are still a few comments on the death of Rifleman Clayton. Opinion remains unchanged. The public is said to be “shocked that such brutal treatment is possible in England” and it is asked: “For the one man about whom the public knows, how many more have suffered similar treatment?”

It is felt there must be an alteration in medical examinations to prevent the continuance in the Service of men obviously unfit for army life. There is said to be a suspicion, that “although medical treatment in the army is all right when you get it, it is often difficult to get when you first feel the need for it”.

(3. 5. 7. 10. 22 five P.D.Rs.)

14. Sir Percy Laurie

A small amount of cynical comment is reported on the success of Sir Percy Laurie's appeal against his conviction. “Privilege and influence have won against the police” is a typical example. Cases of poor widows doing hard labour for similar offences are cited.

(5. 5SE. 7)

15. Broadcasting and presentation of news

“General satisfaction” with the presentation of news, particularly with the way in which recent war news has been handled, both by the press and the B.B.C., is reported from eight Regions this week. The public is said to feel “very well served on the whole”.

B.B.C. and press publicity about the destruction of the Ruhr dams is particularly praised. There is appreciation of the “smart work” of the Government in releasing the “excellent photographs” of the dams so quickly: “We could see what really happened, the photographs were so good”. In three Regions, however, it is suggested that publicity about the dams was overdone: “the news was kept going too long”.

There is further praise this week for the handling of the North African news by the B.B.C. The news reels of the Tunisian victory are also praised.

Some complaint is made of repetition in news bulletins. The public is said to like “short sharp bulletins when there is not much doing”. It is also suggested that the B.B.C. is sometimes behindhand with the news. This is said to be due to the fact that listeners read interesting news in their morning papers which they feel should have been included in the 9 p.m. news bulletin of the previous evening.

Praise is accorded to the War commentary by Major Lewis Hastings on May 20 and to the Postscript by Commander Kimmins on May 16.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 21 two provincial P.Cs.)

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS

16. Industry

Strikes (Seven Regions): Disgust with strikes is again reported this week and people wonder “why the strikers can't get on with the job the same as our sailors, soldiers and airmen have to”.

In some cases it is felt that strikers have genuine grievances, but “they are thought to strike before exhausting all recognised means of making their grievances known through official channels”. A grievance of transport workers, with which some sympathy is shown in the North Midland Region, is “the enormous wages paid to other workers doing the same hours of work, particularly lorry drivers working for Government contracts on the cost-plus system”.

Enforced idleness (Four Regions) continues “to be gossiped about”, both by workers and “outsiders”, and is variously “blamed on the lack of necessary materials, a change-over in production, and the contract system”. For the first time in the last ten weeks, there is no reference to enforced idleness in the report from the North Western Region.

Wages (Four Regions): Complaints about “well paid war workers” include “their general feeling of complacency” and “their excessive wages” - which are contrasted with “the inadequacy of all pensions”, and with Servicemen's pay. Grumbling is also reported at “unskilled workers getting higher pay than skilled workers”.

Long hours (Three Regions) are said “to be having a deleterious effect on workers, particularly on young people”. The need for workers' holidays this year is mentioned.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 21. 22 twelve P.D.Rs.)

17. Manpower

Comment continues on familiar lines. Complaints include: (i) Evasion of call-up and direction (Five Regions) by young men in reserved occupations, and married women with no responsibilities. Specially mentioned are Servicemen's wives, wives of Admiralty officials at Bath, and women “with children under fourteen often away at school or looked after by a nurse or governess”. It is also suggested in the South Western Region that some young able-bodied men in rural districts are evading their Civil Defence and Home Guard duties “as compulsory service is not being enforced”. This is said to be having an adverse effect on recruiting for fire-guards. (ii) “The handling of the call-up” (Four Regions). It is felt that “people are being moved for the mere sake of transferring them” - West London workers, for example, are said to be transferred to the North of England and “strangers imported to work in West London factories”. (iii) The shortage of domestic help (Four Regions). This is said “to aggravate billeting and housing difficulties”, and to cause considerable hardship to women “returning from hospital after childbirth and having a family to look after”.

Reports from London and the South Western Regions refer to enquiries from people “who are willing to do part-time munition work or home work and find it difficult to obtain”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 21. 22 three P.D.Rs.)

18. Housing accommodation and the difficulties of billeting workers

There are continued reports of the shortage of housing accommodation. In the London and North Eastern Regions this is described as an “acute problem” and there is said to be a “growing feeling that the Government should take steps to ease the situation”.

Complaints are also made of high rents, the high cost of lodgings, and the extortionate prices charged for poorly furnished rooms. On the other hand a report from Kent calls attention to the difficulties of the landlord “who is compelled by law to let his property at pre-war rents but has to pay 50 - 100% more for everything he buys or repairs”.

Billeting difficulties are reported from five Regions, complaints being made both by war workers and householders. The former complain of the difficulties of finding billets and of the lack of facilities provided in them, while the latter complain that their houses are damaged by billetees.

In the Bletchley district, there are complaints of the payment of only 5/- per week for sleeping accommodation for war workers. Householders are said to be quite willing to accommodate members of the forces, but resent provision of billets at that rate for highly paid civilians. There is also strong feeling in the area about lack of consideration for housewives, when workers doing different shifts are billeted on them.

(2. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 9. 10)

19. Ration books

The arrangements for the issue of the new ration books have given rise to widespread criticism (Ten Regions). It is even said in the South Western Region that “nothing since the start of the war has aroused so much sustained feeling and critical comment”. Centralisation in particular is thought by the public to be impractical and quite unnecessary.

Country dwellers are said to be experiencing the greatest difficulties (Seven Regions). The collection of their books may involve journeys of some miles to the nearest town, and bus services are often quite inadequate.

The amount of time wasted in queues at the distribution office is also complained of (Five Regions). It is thought that the machinery for distribution, although good, was not adequate to bear the maximum strain which might be put upon it at peak periods, or “such peak periods had not been envisaged from the start”. Some people are complaining that they are liable to lose a complete day's work as a result, and farmers in one Region are said to be “furious at the loss of labour thus entailed”.

Mothers of young children are said to be “utterly at a loss to know how they can get their books at all”. They do not like the idea of leaving their children while they undertake the journey; in many cases, where they are living away from home and friends, they cannot ask “casual acquaintances to spend the day standing in a queue for them”.

Criticism is reported of the publicity about the distribution of the ration books. The instructions are thought to be “beyond many people”. Food Offices are said to have found “endless mistakes” in the filling up of the old books, - in one town 30% of the applicants had failed to do this correctly.

(1. 2. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 22 six P.D.Rs. 32.)

20. Food

Satisfaction with the food situation is reported from three Regions and Postal Censorship. In three other Regions, however, housewives are said to be of the opinion that the wartime diet is inadequate and that it lacks essential vitamins. One Regional report mentions “suggestions that the food is being doctored”.

Specific complaints include:

The shortage of fish (Seven Regions): Complaints continue of queues and preferential treatment.

The shortage of meat (Four Regions): People are said to grumble at having to take pork in hot weather.

The high price of green vegetables (Four Regions): Complaints about having to buy the useless outer leaves of cauliflowers, leeks and cabbages continue.

The cut in the cheese ration (Three Regions): This is said to make the problem of filling sandwiches for packed lunches very difficult.

The shortage and unfair distribution of offals (Three Regions): “Single ration book customers”, it is said, never get a chance to get them.

The allocation of oranges (Three Regions): The restriction of the allocation of oranges to children under five is complained of, as they get orange juice, and it is thought that older children should get the oranges.

The shortage of biscuits (Three Regions): It is asked why the “big stores have plenty and the small ones none”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 13. 21 fifteen provincial P.Cs. 22 forty-seven P.D.Rs. 32.)

21. Clothing

Footwear difficulties are reported from nine Regions this week. Shortages are mentioned in six Regions, three of which specify particularly children's shoes. The difficulties of war workers, who cannot get to the shops before the day's quota is sold, are again emphasised. The poor quality (even of utility footwear), and high price are reported from five Regions - a poor working-class mother in the Northern Region “claims to have spent £1. 0s. 6d. on a pair of shoes, and 18s. 6d. on a pair of clogs for her children and at the end of the first week, the shoes had worn through and the uppers of the clogs had come adrift from the soles”. Difficulties in getting repairs done, particularly for children, are reported from four Regions.

Clothing coupons : The inadequacy of clothing coupons continues to be reported (Eight Regions). Particular mention is made of the problems of growing children (Five Regions), the renewal of household goods (Four Regions), workers (Two Regions) and fat persons of both sexes (One Region). The situation is said to be so acute that “some people now feel entitled to take advantage of the black market” in order to solve their difficulties.

Clothing : Complaints of utility stockings are reported from three Regions, and the high price and poor quality of all children's clothing are criticised - “If a few less fancy gowns were produced”, it is felt that “more children's wear could be put on the market”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 22 thirteen P.D.Rs.)

22. Shopping difficulties

Shopping difficulties are reported from ten Regions this week. The main complaint continues to be of queueing. War workers are said to be indignant that people with leisure for queuing should have the opportunity to get fish, cakes and “the tasty little extras off the ration” that they cannot get.

Preferential treatment and “telephone customers” are another cause for complaint. It is said that “shop assistants have no use for people in working clothes who turn up late in the day”.

The lunch hour and early closing of shops continue to be mentioned as a difficulty.

(1. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 21 one provincial P.C.)

23. Health

Complaints of tiredness and strain are reported from only four Regions this week, compared with seven last week. In the Midland Region, however, certificates of “fatigue” are said to be coming along more frequently, and people are saying that “they must have a holiday this year, transport or not”. In the Midland Region also, fairly widespread complaints are reported of “dry and itching” skin; this is put down to food deficiencies and to dirty crockery in restaurants and canteens.

Anxiety about the increase of tuberculosis continues (Two Regions).

The V.D. Campaign

General approval continues to be reported about the campaign, though it is still thought by some not to be strong enough. People appear to have “got used to” the newspaper advertisements, and are now hardly noticing them.

In the Eastern Region, the statement that the Ministry of Health is to make a health survey by means of blood tests has been interpreted as meaning that they are going to find out by this method how many people are really suffering from V.D.

(1. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 9. 10)

24. Pensions

The second reading of the Pensions and Determination of Needs Bill (May 20) has been received with disappointment, “because of the limited nature of the increases”. According to the report from the Midland Region, “no excuse is acceptable that we cannot afford more help”, but on the other hand some people wonder “where the money is coming from to provide for the increases”.

“The inadequacy” of pensions for Servicemen and their dependants is also referred to. To quote from the London report: “We seem able to spend money in other directions and even to waste it. The Ministry of Pensions is mean and unworthy of our fighting men”.

(1. 2. 4. 5. 9. 10. 11)

25. National Savings

Enthusiasm for local Wings for Victory weeks, and “the splendid response” to them continue. At the same time some scepticism is again reported as to “how many genuine additional savings are being got as a result of such efforts”, and the part played by banks, Insurance Companies and Co-operative Societies is commented on.

It is also suggested that “women are showing less zeal for saving” because of the Oxford magistrate's decision, and the continued belief that “we are paying von Arnim and all those other generals £6. a day for duration”.

(1. 2. 3. 4. 10. 22 ten P.D.Rs.)

26. Salvage

During the past three weeks the removal of railings and gates from private houses has been criticised in eight reports. In three reports the order prohibiting the replacement of metal gates with wooden ones is thought to be absurd, and “to be causing much heart-burning, as the wish to provide a substitute dies hard”. It is thought very necessary to have a gate to keep out neighbouring dogs, on account of the damage they can inflict if not kept under control.

Two Regions criticise “the clumsy way” in which gates and railings have been removed. In Oakham the work is said to have been carried out by youths “obviously inexperienced in the use of acetylene cutters, and property has suffered in consequence”.

Non-collection of salvage : The non-collection of scrap dumps is reported to be a “sore point in country districts”, and the sight of uncollected dumps “to have a deterrent effect on the hitherto conscientious”. There are said to be “tons of iron rusting in the pier at Folkestone”.

(2. 3. 4. 5SE. 7. 8. 13. 21 one provincial P.C.)

27. Coal

Three Regional reports this week refer to a shortage in coal supplies “which is making it impossible for people to stock up for next winter”. In the Eastern Region, dealers “have not even enough coal for normal supplies”. On the other hand, in London, coal merchants complain that “their coal reserves which they were ordered to put down are deteriorating rapidly”.

There are also two references to the high price of coal, and a complaint from London that “customers are having to pay top prices for coal which has largely crumbled to dust and which is in any case slatey and inferior in quality”.

(3. 4. 5. 10)

28. Transport

The relaxation of the existing orders for the immobilisation of unattended vehicles in some parts of the country has been welcomed. In Wales, this has been accepted “as another proof of the improved war situation”.

The usual complaints continue (see Constant Topics).

(2. 4. 6. 8.)

III APPENDIX

Home Intelligence relies largely on the method of cross-checking of sources. Recently an opportunity was afforded for a large-scale check. In order to compare the work of the local Correspondents of the B.B.C. Listener Research Department with the Contacts used by Intelligence Officers in the Regions, the same questionnaire was sent to a selection from both groups, in connection with a Sunday night Postscript in April. The following is the report from the B.B.C. Listener Research Department:

(1) The Home Intelligence Division of the Ministry of Information sent to some 360 of their own Intelligence Officers' Contacts a questionnaire on the April 18th Sunday Postscript (Margery Perham on “Britain's Colonial Empire”). The questions asked were similar to those put by Listener Research to one section of Local Correspondents. About 250 of the M. of I. questionnaires were returned completed. These have been analysed by Listener Research and the result compared with about the same number from their own Local Correspondents.

(2) Popularity Index : The Popularity Index returned by B.B.C. Local Correspondents for this Postscript, 68, was very low. That returned by the M. of I. Contacts was even lower, 62, but the difference is no greater than is often experienced between two sections of Local Correspondents. It is clear that M. of I. Contacts encountered pretty much the same kind of reaction as the B.B.C. Correspondents. They themselves (having almost all heard it) returned a slightly more favourable verdict on the Postscript, and this is paralleled by the personal verdict of the Local Correspondents (about two-thirds of whom heard it). Conjectural reasons for the lower M. of I. Popularity Index figure include the probability that M. of I. Contacts are in touch with a greater proportion of working class people than are Local Correspondents - analysis of Local Correspondents' returns showed that reaction to this Postscript tended to be less favourable, the lower the income group.

(3) Comments : Reasons for enjoying the Postscript quoted on the M. of I. questionnaires do not differ significantly from those on Listener Research questionnaires. In the mixed and the unfavourable comments on both sets of questionnaires, the same objections were raised, the only criticism reported by a small group of M. of I. Contacts, but not explicitly by Local Correspondents, being that Miss Perham's talk was impractical and that she “hedged” round the subject. Contacts reported small minority views often mentioned by Local Correspondents, viz: indifference to Postscripts in general unless there is a famous name attached to them, and “there has been nothing interesting in the Postscript since the days of Priestley”.

NOTES : 1. The Popularity Index is constructed by asking each Correspondent to sum up the feelings of the people they meet under one of five heads, ranging from “very favourable” to “very unfavourable”.

2. The slightly lower Popularity Index figure given by our Contacts may also be due to an unconscious enthusiasm for broadcasting to which B.B.C. Correspondents may be prone. The closeness of the two results suggests that this is not a serious source of error.

IV. MONTHLY SUMMARY OF CONSTANT TOPICS NO. 10

(Covering the period from 27th April to 25th May 1943)

All 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.

Inadequacy of clothing coupons and demand for household coupons

6 May Regions 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 9. 10.
13 May Regions 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 9. 10. 13.
20 May Regions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
27 May Regions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 7. 9. 10.

Shopping difficulties and food queues (chiefly for fish and cakes)

6 May Regions 1. 2. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 9. 10.
13 May Regions 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 9. 10.
20 May Regions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 9. 10.
27 May Regions 1. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Transport difficulties

6 May Regions 1. 2. 3. 5. 5SE. 6. 8. 10.
13 May Regions 1. 2. 3. 5. 5SE. 6. 10.
20 May Regions 1. 2. 3. 5SE. 6. 7. 8.
27 May Regions 1. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 10.

Waste of petrol

6 May Regions 1. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8.
13 May Regions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 9. 10.
20 May Regions 3. 6.
27 May Regions 3. 6. 8. 9.

Bad behaviour of young people

6 May Regions 1. 2. 3. 6. 7. 9.
13 May Regions 1. 3. 4. 7. 9. 10.
20 May Regions 3. 5. 8.
27 May Regions 1. 3. 4. 5. 7. 10.

Preferential treatment of certain customers by shopkeepers (chiefly over fish)

6 May Regions 1. 3. 4. 5.
13 May Regions 1. 3. 5.
20 May Regions 2. 6. 7. 9.
27 May Regions 4. 5. 9. 10.

Inadequate collection of salvage

6 May Regions 2. 4. 5. 7.
13 May Regions 4. 5SE. 7. 8.
20 May Regions 3. 4. 5. 8.
27 May Regions 4. 8. 13.

Anti-Semitism

6 May Regions 1. 3. 4. 5. 8.
13 May Regions 2. 3. 4. 5. 7.
20 May Regions 5. 5SE.
27 May Regions 3. 7. 8.

Disparity in pay

6 May Regions 1. 2. 5. 10.
13 May Regions 1. 3. 7. 9.
20 May Regions 1. 9.
27 May Regions 1. 3. 9. 11.

Inadequacy of Service pay and dependants' allowances and Service pensions

6 May Regions 1. 3. 5.
13 May Regions 1. 4.
20 May Regions 1. 3. 5. 10.
27 May Regions 1. 4. 5.

Firewatching for women

6 May Regions 1. 2. 4. 5.
13 May Regions 2. 3. 5. 7.
20 May Regions 5. 5SE.
27 May Regions 5. 8.

Difficulties in providing packed meals for workers

6 May Regions 3.
13 May Regions 1. 4. 6. 8.
20 May Regions 4. 7. 9.
27 May Regions 3. 4. 10.

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

6 May Regions 1. 3. 5. 5SE.
13 May Regions 3. 6.
20 May Regions 3.
27 May Regions 2. 3. 4.

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

6 May Regions 1.
13 May Regions 3. 5. 6.
20 May Regions 1. 7.
27 May Regions 4. 6. 7.

SHORTAGES

Shortage and unequal distribution of fish

6 May Regions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 10. 11.
13 May Regions 1. 2. 3. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 10.
20 May Regions 2. 5. 6. 9. 10.
27 May Regions 1. 3. 5SE. 6. 7. 8. 10.

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

6 May Regions 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 7.
13 May Regions 1. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 7. 9. 10.
20 May Regions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5SE. 7. 9. 10.
27 May Regions 2. 4. 5. 5SE. 6. 7. 9. 10.

Shortage and high price of crockery, glass and kitchenware

6 May Regions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 10.
13 May Regions 1. 2. 4. 5SE. 6. 8. 10.
20 May Regions 1. 2. 3. 5. 10.
27 May Regions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 10.

Shortage and poor quality of adults' clothing and footwear

6 May Regions 3. 5. 10.
13 May Regions 1. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 10.
20 May Regions 1. 3. 5. 7. 10.
27 May Regions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5SE. 6. 7. 9. 10.

Shortage and poor quality of children's clothing and footwear

6 May Regions 4. 6. 9. 10.
13 May Regions 1. 3. 4. 7. 9.
20 May Regions 1. 3. 4. 5. 7. 9. 10.
27 May Regions 1. 2. 3. 5SE. 8. 9.

Shortage of Razor Blades

6 May Regions 2. 4.
13 May Regions 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 10.
20 May Regions 4. 7. 9.
27 May Regions 4. 7.

Shortage of sweets

6 May Regions 1. 3. 4. 6. 9.
13 May Regions 1. 2. 7. 10.
20 May Regions 3. 10.
27 May Regions 7.

“The bad distribution and poor quality of coal”, a subject included in this list last month, is now omitted as references to it have considerably decreased.

213

REFERENCES

1. Northern Region (Newcastle) Weekly Reports from R.I.Os.
2. North Eastern Region (Leeds)
3. North Midland Region (Nottingham)
4. Eastern Region (Cambridge)
5. London Region (London)
6. Southern Region (Reading)
7. South Western Region (Bristol)
8. Wales (Cardiff)
9. Midland (Birmingham)
10. North Western Region (Manchester)
11. Scotland (Edinburgh)
12. South Eastern Region (Tunbridge Wells)
13. Northern Ireland (Belfast)
14. Special Reports from R.I.Os.
15. Regions Advisers' Reports
16. M.O.I. Speakers' Reports
17. Local Information Committees' Reports
18. Home Press Summaries M.O.I.
19. Regional Press Summaries
20. Hansard
21. Postal Censorship
22. Police Duty Room Reports
23. Wartime Social Survey Reports
24. B.B.C. Listener Research Papers
25. B.B.C. Special Papers
26. Citizens' Advice Bureaux Reports
27. W.V.S. Reports
28. Scottish Unionist Whips' Reports
29. Liberal Party's Reports
30. Economic League's Reports
31. War Office Post Bag Summaries
32. Primary Sources

D 34653-1 6,000 1/43 R P W

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