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SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Weekly Report by Home Intelligence - No. 46
Copy No. 31

(From Wednesday 13th August to Wednesday 20th August, 1941)

In reading this report, it is important to bear in mind that it is not meant to be a record of facts , except in so far as public opinion is itself a fact. It is a statement and reflection of the public's views and feelings about the war in general. Therefore, in matters on which public opinion is ill-informed, prejudiced or inconsistent, the report does not imply any endorsement of the views which are expressed in it.

569 570 2 576 8

HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT

No. 46 - August 13th to August 20th. 1941 .

Note : The figures in brackets refer to sources of information, a list of which is given at the end of this report.

I. GENERAL COMMENTS

I. General state of confidence and reaction to news

There is no lessening of confidence this week, but the modification of optimism, noted in our last report, is still in progress. It may be inferred from the general tone of comments on the war situation that, but for the stimulus of Mr. Churchill's meeting with President Roosevelt , this decline in public spirits might well have been more marked. The main cause of this change is the gradual but persistent advance of the German armies in Russia. At the moment, there appears to be less talk of the war being over by Christmas, or at some equally convenient date, but it should be noted that signs of complacency have by no means vanished and are still mentioned in several reports.

The Prime Minister's Atlantic conference with the President has aroused very great interest. Almost all reports stress the fact that, partly owing to the way the announcement was “built up” by the B.B.C. and the Press, Mr. Attlee's broadcast came as “something of an anti-climax”, and there is some disappointment that “the meeting has not brought more tangible results than an enunciation of principles”. At the same time, the principles themselves have certainly met with warm approval, and the fact that “at last some authoritative statement of war aims has been given” is generally welcomed. There is also, though to a more limited extent, an “appreciation of the point that the U.S.A. is shouldering with Britain the responsibility for securing and maintaining a just peace”. The “worst kept secret of the war” in fact did remain a secret in all but the largest centres of population, though the news that Mr. Attlee was to make this “very important announcement” at once started speculation as to why the Prime Minister was not making it.

It is commonly assumed that “far reaching decisions” were arrived at during the undisclosed conversations, and that these will later prove to be of the greatest importance. There is said to be “considerable speculation” about the matters under discussion, but there is little to indicate the train of such speculations or what the public expects as a result of these discussions. Anticipation of the Conference having “a steadying influence on Japan” has been mentioned with a satisfaction which seems to be based more upon hope than on a realistic analysis of the Far Eastern situation. This complacency about the movement of affairs in the Pacific (on which we commented last week) is also reflected in reports which indicate, an assumption that Japan's entry into the war would “automatically” bring in America as well. Anxiety, previously reported, that this event might curtail our supplies from the U.S. is now partly offset by the anticipated effects of “a real shooting partnership”.

Interest in the Atlantic meeting has, to some extent, overshadowed interest in the Russian campaign. There is a less optimistic note in comments on this aspect of the war situation, though there is still faith in Russia's ability “to last out through the winter”-a hope which has been lent conviction by the confidence and authority of President Roosevelt's opinion. The belief that “we are not doing all we might” to help our ally, and that we are “missing our opportunities” is again emphasised in many reports, and there is a keen impatience for the pursuit of more adventurous tactics. In this connection it is stated in one report that “our policy might be more virile and imaginative if dictated by a War Cabinet which included Dominion Representatives”. The fact that the Red Air Force is paying greater attention to Berlin than the R.A.F. is another cause of critical comment.

In the Midland Region, large scale civil defence and invasion exercises have eclipsed the public's interest in almost all other subjects, though even here there is widespread scepticism about the invasion danger.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 22)

2. Reaction to Air Raids

The recrudescence of limited raids has caused a new crop of “alleged causes” along familiar lines. For example, in the Northern Region, hit-and-run raids are attributed to the publication of a telegram from the First Lord of the Admiralty to the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, referring to the Tyne's contribution to ship-building; and a raid on Horden Colliery is being connected with a discussion in Parliament about the difficulties of the coal-mining industry. Similarly, a recent raid on Derby is attributed by the public to a fine display of searchlights which preceded the event. A raid on Dudley following a civil fire in a brick works has led to stories of sabotage.

On the question of raids during the coming winter, the insistence of the Government on the importance of fire-watching preparations is said to have had more effect than the conflicting official pronouncements; though it is thought that, thanks to radiolocation, night fighters, and the German losses on the Russian front, a majority is still optimistic. It is anticipated that when heavy night raids start again, unfavourable comparisons with Moscow's defences against night raiders will be drawn.

In the North Midland Region, the loss of barrage balloons in storms is thought to indicate negligence, and the “consequent loss of public money” is “seriously affecting the work of Savings Groups in various towns”.

(1, 3, 9, 32)

3. News Presentation and Broadcasting

There is praise for the “obvious improvement in news and photographs issued by the Ministry of Information”. In particular, the photographs of the R.A.F's daylight attack on Cologne, and the mention of the numbers of bombers we have employed, are welcomed. A contrast is still drawn, however, between the Russian air communiqués and our own, particularly as regards our reticence in the naming of pilots who have shown great bravery, until long after the event, or until they are decorated. The rapid issue of the Atlantic Conference photographs is favourably commented on.

Broadcasts which have been particularly well liked were that of H.M. the Queen, and the Pcurtostscripts of Dorothy Thompson and Quentin Reynolds (whose second effort was thought even better than his first). The “constant grumbles” about “Lift up your hearts” continue; in particular, its position just before the 8 o'clock news is disliked as “a trick” to make people listen to it.

(2, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 32).

4. Industry

Reports from a variety of sources show growing impatience among industrial workers (as well as among the public) about production delays of which no explanations are given. In one report the view is expressed that “local strikes were due in part to the fact that employees were ignorant of the real cause of factory inactivity”. It is clear that when no explanations are made there is often a tendency for workers “to conclude that dislocation (of their work) is due to inefficiency on the part of the managements”. In some cases, where there have been delays without, so far as the workers knew, proper causes “there has been much talk of fifth column activity among managements, and a great deal of misunderstanding on the part of the public outside the factories”. Although there is appreciation in some quarters of the difficulties that might arise “if too much information on certain subjects were given out”, it is thought that factory workers are not always sufficiently intelligent or well informed to appreciate the fundamental causes of industrial delays. The suggestion is made, therefore, that some sort of reason should always be given to workers, when there is a hold-up in production, “even though it may only be an explanation as to why they cannot be given further details”.

One important effect of the Communist “swing-over” is reported from industrial districts in Scotland. The change in Communist policy has deprived disgruntled workers of the services of skilled political organisers. This is particularly the case with the engineering and ship-building apprentices.

(3, 4, 7, 9, 11)

5. Rumours

The Atlantic meeting of Mr. Churchill and President Roosevelt gave rise to the bulk of the rumours recorded this week. As soon as there was suspicion that official secrecy was shrouding the Prime Minister's movements, he was reported to be very ill, or dead, or resigning, or on the way to Russia; President Roosevelt was said to have committed suicide, as well as to have resigned; Hitler was also said to be dead. The news that an important pronouncement was to be made produced an instant crop of “inside-information” stories - to the effect that America had declared war, Russia had capitulated, Britain had broken off relations with Vichy, and that the Germans were in Spain, en route for Gibraltar.

Other rumours this week are: that R.A.F. men are being court-martialled and shot for the sabotage of Mr. Purvis's plane; that the War Office and the Ministry of Information are at logger-heads over publicity for the Home Guard, the War Office wanting as much as possible, and the Ministry instructing the Press to give none. There are several food rumours: registration for bread in the near future; and quantities of food being destroyed in various parts of the country. Others are connected with help from America: that she is about to attack Japan, before Japan attacks her; that an American army is being sent to Ireland; and that she is going to help us invade Norway. Scotland is said to have “whole stretches of coast unprotected, where invasion would be easy”.

It is also alleged that the B.B.C. insisted “in the face of U.S.S.R. disapproval” on having a White Russian to give broadcasts to the Soviet; while a number of Conservative M.Ps are said to have remained seated, to the disgust of M. Maisky, when the toast of “Our Russian Allies” was given at a recent luncheon in London. These last rumours may be regarded as a “hang-over” of public sensitivity on the subject of the Russian National Anthem, and as a further covert indication that we are not yet thought to be wholehearted in the support of our new Ally.

(1, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 22, 32)

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS

6. Differences in Service and Civilian Pay .

Views on this subject differ widely with localities. In rural districts, there is said to be little public interest in the matter, because the comparisons to be made are mainly between Service dependants' allowances and the pay of agricultural workers. Farm-workers' wages and the Service allowances are both considered “inadequate” - by some people, “disgracefully so” - and there are no glaring discrepancies between them. In industrial areas, however, and particularly where there are munition factories, the question has become “a burning grievance”. Servicemen's wives are reported to be growing “increasingly discontented and disgusted” by the realisation that the wife of a man in a reserved occupation has “three or four times as much money” as well as freedom from worry about his safety; and that the munition makers can buy “luxuries for their children” whereas Service families “cannot always provide necessities”. It is “constantly pointed out” that after the last war it was promised that “this should never happen again”. Excessive wages for juveniles, whose older brothers have been called up “on a few shillings a day” are aggravating the situation, which comes to a head in open resentment wherever Servicemen and civilians are working side by side, as on some aerodromes. Among social workers in touch with the situation, it is usual to refer to service dependants as “the new poor”. The whole position has been described in some quarters as “a national disgrace”. Except among those whose incomes place them outside the pale of the controversy, there is, however, universal agreement that adjustment should be made rather by raising service allowances, than by reducing industrial wages.

(2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 15, 22)

7. Registration of Women .

The increasing desire of the public “that the Government should use its compulsory powers, and cease making appeals” is noticeable in many directions this week, but is particularly strong in connection with women's war-work. The voluntary enrolment system is again referred to as “an absolute failure”, one view being that “it is not voluntary for any patriotic and conscientious girl - only for the slacker”. Many individual cases are quoted of:-

Over the call-up of domestic servants, it is felt that “the Government has not looked into every aspect of this problem; people who have to take in Civil Servants and others under the Billeting rules are left stranded, while some houses keep their inessential maids”. In transferring women from civilian to war-jobs “opposition from employers is not yet overcome” and is, if anything, expected to increase as labour becomes more difficult to obtain. The recent announcement of “a general tightening up of regulations” in the recruitment of women has been welcomed, but with the reservation that “we do not know if the Minister of Labour really means to go all the way this time”.

Captain Margesson's broadcast recruiting speech for the A.T.S. was strongly criticised on the grounds that he apparently failed to realise the many useful jobs, apart from the A.T.S., which can and are being done by women. His suggestion that women were ignorant of the importance of domestic work, even in the army, was ridiculed.

(1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 32)

8. Food

Milk Rationing . The announcement of the milk-rationing scheme appears to have been received everywhere “with extreme disfavour”, after what is called “the long, careful publicity with which the Government has built up milk consumption”. Individual comment is constantly heard on the lines of “This will hit me harder than any other kind of rationing”. In general there is “grave concern” lest the allowance should be inadequate for health in the case of nursing mothers and young children. Very considerable confusion is evident in the public mind as to what the scheme allows to various categories of consumers, such as invalids, children over five, workers' canteens, etc., and contradictory reports are given as “authoritative”. Opinion agrees, however, that it will press harder on people “whose diet is strictly limited by their purse” than on those who can afford more varied foods. Criticism is only slightly lessened “by the announcement that a quantity of the milk produced will be tinned and dried, and that it will be available to the public, because if this is to be controlled but unrationed, it is felt that it may be difficult to obtain”. “Another point is that the proposal has followed too closely on the heels of the egg scheme, which is still dubbed a ‘flop’, and through which the public appear to have lost their confidence in Government schemes”.

Food Propaganda . The whole subject of food-campaigns has been brought into relief by the introduction of milk rationing. It is said that “Reports show there is growing disquiet about our food position during the coming winter. With little meat and cheese, hardly any eggs, and some doubt about the oatmeal supply, housewives foresee catering largely on bread and potatoes. The Ministry of Food propaganda about the food-values of these articles, and of green vegetables, is not being well received by those who have to look after hard-working men, as they do not find the energy they need in these foods. There are suggestions that a more frank recognition of the fact that we are bound to feel somewhat under-nourished, and must put up with it, would go down better than the attempt to suggest that nothing but benefit has resulted from rationing”.

Publicity before goods are available . There has been some criticism of the premature publicity given, in newspapers and by the B.B.C., to commodities arriving in this country from America. Such publicity has failed to stress that these goods will not be on sale for some while, or that, while scheduled for shipment, they are not yet en route. This has applied particularly to dried milk, dried eggs, currants and raisins, etc. It has been the cause of “accusations against traders, that they are witholding their supplies”.

Restaurants . Ill-feeling continues to be expressed about the advantage of the rich over the poor in the matter of “feeding out”. There is much suspicion that, in fact, the rule of 1d. worth of meat per customer is not enforced, and the present position is contrasted unfavourably with that in force during the last war, when a coupon, or part of a coupon, had to be given up for every meat meal.

Reservation of unrationed food . Dissatisfaction is caused by the number of shops which display in their windows unrationed goods which turn out, on enquiry, to be “reserved for registered customers only”. The public have accepted the principle that unrationed goods may be so reserved “behind the scenes”, but are uncertain of the legal position if the shopkeeper chooses to put the goods on show “as a kind of advertisement”. Chain-stores have been particularly criticised for keeping “big piles of tinned sardines, and other stuff in short supply” very prominently on display, and then refusing to sell them to all but favoured customers.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12)

9. Clothes Rationing .

Dissatisfaction is felt, in connection with the issue of the new clothes-rationing coupons, over the fact that the cover of the old ration book is the only document which must be produced in order to obtain the 10 months' supply. There have been many instances of ration books being lost or stolen; and in the case of theft there is now nothing to prevent the unlawful possessor from presenting two covers at different post-offices and obtaining a double ration. It is suggested that if one's identity card had to be produced at the same time, the danger would be lessened, through fear of detection.

(5, 32)

10. Coal Shortage .

“Great concern” continues over a situation which, it is said, “is calculated to lead to real unrest this winter”. In connection with what is generally referred to as the “ration” of one ton a month, it is pointed out that the public does not sufficiently realise that this is not a rationing scheme but a means of restricting consumption among wealthy households, which could afford to lay in tons at a time, in favour of those whose normal consumption is far below this figure and who, having little storage space, might otherwise have had far greater difficulty in obtaining supplies.

(2, 5, 11, 15)

11. Income Tax .

Fresh evidence is forthcoming from many districts that “a very considerable proportion of people paying income tax for the first time are definitely resentful and under-informed on this subject”. It is reported that “there is a great deal of confusion about the position of married women workers, who do not know if their husbands' incomes are taken into account” in the deductions which are made from week to week in their pay, nor “why they should be liable for the tax when in law the husbands would seem to be”. The need for an explanatory leaflet, “or some standard system of slips in the pay envelope” is now said to be “urgent”, and it is especially desired that any such leaflet “should be in plain English - not Government English - and that it should be short and sweet”.

(5, 8, 9, 15, 22)

12. Constant Complaints .

No change has been reported in the public's attitude about: Queues, distribution of stale eggs, disappearance of fruit and other foodstuffs controlled but not rationed, beer, tobacco and match shortages, maldistribution of unrationed food, and petrol wastage.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12)

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REFERENCES