A History of the Ministry of Information, 1939-46
SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Weekly Report by Home Intelligence - No. 48
Copy No. 32
(From Wednesday 27th August to Wednesday 3rd September, 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.
HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT
No. 48 - August 27th to September 3rd. 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 .
On the whole, there appears to be a slight rise in spirits this week, largely as a result of Allied action in Iran and the better news from Russia. As is usual, in the absence of spectacular events or grave anxieties, there is more concern with immediate problems - “Home Front worries, shortages, restrictions, queues, form-filling, and so on”. Although there is still talk of “far too much complacency about the war”, there is much less expectation of it being over soon. The excessive optimism of July and early August has faded, “as blackout creeps back towards 8 o'clock, without the hoped-for crack in German morale materialising”. In this connection, a special Postal Censorship report for the month ending August 19, based on over 80,000 out-going letters, shows the position as it was 3 weeks ago:-
1. 86% of letters show “confidence in ultimate and speedy victory”.
2. Of letters commenting on the war situation, 10% of writers “are convinced that the war will be over (a) before Christmas (b) early next Spring”.
Factors making for increased confidence this week are:-
-
Entry of the Allied forces into Iran . This appears to have been the most cheering event of the week, and it has been greeted with enthusiasm as “one of the best strokes of the war”. People are delighted that we have once more taken the initiative, that “Hitler is not always in first”, and that “we are at last waking up and taking off our kid gloves”. There is also considerable satisfaction that we have “shown real alliance and co-ordination with Russia”, and that we now have a direct route for supplying her with munitions. A few people regard the Government statements about “Nazi infiltration” as skilful “humbug”, and there has been comment (cynical rather than critical) to the effect that on Sunday night the Prime Minister was talking about the 8 points, and the “rights of other nations”, and on Monday morning we marched into Iran. Satisfaction, however, has been general and only a very few have regretted that we were obliged to enter the country by force.
-
Russian resistance . During the last few days the Russian situation has aroused greater confidence than it did at the end of last week. It is feared that “perhaps too much stress is being put on the Soviet counter-attacks in the central sector”, but there is a growing impression that “the Russians are maintaining a defensive line; and their withdrawals are still held not to mean enemy victories”. Although there has been some dismay at the destruction of the Dnieper dam, there is great admiration for the lengths to which the Russians are going in their “scorched earth” policy; and it is generally thought that “the Germans mostly gain empty victories at terrific cost”. In the main, people seem confident that Russia will hold out till the winter, although there is a “sub-stratum of real anxiety lest a break might occur before the winter sets in”. Once the Russian winter begins, the immediate danger for our allies is thought to be passed, and there is little or no speculation about the Russian front beyond that point. Fear of a Russian break is said to be “almost universally associated with anxiety lest Germany might turn the major strength of her land and air forces in the direction of these islands”. At present, however, there is no public fear or expectation of an immediate invasion.
-
Signs of unrest on the Continent . The attempted assassination of Laval and Déat is mentioned as having caused great interest and delight, “as unexpected news about individual leaders always tends to do”. There is relief at this “evidence of a revulsion of feeling on the part of the French”, and some people are said to associate this with the possible beginning of revolution. (In this connection, it is suggested that it is by revolution in the occupied countries that most people anticipate that the war will end.) The “voice on the German radio” is said to have captured the public's imagination in the same way, and also as being “something unexpected and tough”.
Factors tending to lessen public confidence during the past week include:-
(a) Desire for more action . There is reported to be a general feeling of “discontent at stagnation on the part of Great Britain” and “irritation at our apparent helplessness to organise any aggressive action against Germany”. The “desire that we should create a diversion in the West” is said to be “undiminished”. Our inactivity “increases the suspicion that we are still far more behind in production than our Ministers admit in their ‘pep’ talks”. A preliminary report of the most recent British Institute of Public Opinion survey (on a sample of over 2000), gives the following result to the question: “Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the amount of military help Britain is giving Russia?”:-
When those who were dissatisfied were asked what suggestions they would make, the great bulk of replies indicated the wish to open up an effective second front in the war on Germany.
There is still a feeling in some quarters - not only communist - that we are “inclined to cold-shoulder Moscow”, and a last-minute report from the R.I.O. Scotland, said:
“Mr. Jack Tanner's statement at the Edinburgh Trades Union Congress about Colonel Moore-Brabazon has caused considerable stir and unrest among those sections of industrial workers who are always ready to believe the worst about the Government's attitude towards the U.S.S.R.”.
There has also been some speculation and criticism about the delay in fixing a date for the “much advertised Moscow conference”.
Incidentally, from one Region where a very large number of Canadian troops is stationed come “disturbing stories of their bitterness at being barred from all theatres of war”. They are said to be “heartily sick of comparative inactivity”.
Again, there are said to be some “signs of disappointment at the scale of the R.A.F. raids, and repeated queries as to why the range of the offensive is not extended further”. Heavier and more frequent raids on Berlin would be welcomed, and people ask why North and Central Italy are left alone. There is a feeling that Italy is being spared “for political reasons”. The desire for “more definite and detailed information of the damage inflicted on Germany” continues; in particular, it is asked if results on the scale of those in our blitzed cities have been achieved.
(b) Disappointment with America and Australia . Although the Churchill-Roosevelt meeting has “increased the popularity of the United States” in some quarters, there is a sense of “bewilderment at sudden warnings, by press and B.B.C., that there is still to be a considerable time before aid from America reaches worthwhile proportions”. People notice “increasing signs that U.S. is neither coming into the war, nor into 100% production to help”. Recent reports on Japanese and American relations have caused some slight disappointment, and there is a feeling that “America is going to take a weak line and refuse to stand up to the possibility of an open breach with Japan”.
Two R.I.Os speak of disappointment that party politics should still hold such sway in Australia at a time like this.
(c) The prospects of the winter . With earlier black-out, the feeling that “winter will soon be upon us” is beginning to have a sobering effect. Optimistic prophecies of an early end to the war are beginning to be regarded as evanescent. There is a “tendency in the blitzed areas to refrain from talking about whether we shall have raids or not”; and “the attitude can best be described as fatalistic”. The return of evacuated children continues; in Liverpool it is said to be a serious problem which only the return of severe raids will cure; and Clydeside workers are persuading their wives to return from evacuation in Eire. But on the whole, there appears to be less “no more raid” talk, and the attitude of places like Portsmouth and Southampton is described as realistic.
Apart from night bombing, the public's principal fears for the winter seem to be the following:
1. The black-out . This is mentioned by a very great number of people, and was put first by about 40% of people in a recent enquiry.
2. The prospect of a coal shortage . There appears to be a very widespread anxiety about a possible shortage of fuel, both in domestic use and for public utilities.
3. Food difficulties . These are expected to increase, but not to become “unbearable”.
4. Transport . Crowded buses and trains, and transport difficulties generally.
5. Shopping conditions , especially for workers. There is some apprehension about queues under winter conditions, and their possible effect on health.
6. The cost of winter clothing . It is expected that prices, rather than the rationing, may make it difficult to buy enough warm clothes.
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 Scotland, 20, 22, 29)
2. Broadcasting
There continues to be much enthusiastic comment on Mr. Churchill's recent speech, which “greatly enhanced his reputation among thoughtful listeners, many of whom regard it as the most impressive since he took office,” and as “one of his greatest war speeches”. It seems to have been only the “less thoughtful” who were disappointed, “at being told nothing new”. From Wales comes the observation that “his obviously sincere reference to the hymns at church parade went down very well in this hymn-singing Region”. There are suggestions that the Prime Minister's broadcasts should be “reserved for items of great importance”, and the hope is expressed in one quarter that he should “devote one of his major broadcasts to the Home Front”.
According to a recent Listener Research Report, the audience to Mr. Quentin Reynolds' Postscript on 10th August was the largest audience to a Sunday Postscript over recorded. Allowance must be made, however, for the fact that, as H.M. the Queen spoke before the News, the audience for the News was consequently considerably greater than usual. The following table, based on replies from about 200 Honorary Listener Correspondents, enables a comparison to be made between Mr. Reynolds' latest Postscript and 6 others (one of which was also given by him on 29th June):-
It will be noticed that the second Postscript was very favourably received, but less so than the first. The suggestion has been made that, in his next Postscript. Mr. Reynolds should address a “few plain words to Mussolini”.
(2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 22, 24)
3. Astrology .
Further reports confirm what has already been said in Home Intelligence Reports of the interest taken by a large section of the public, particularly by women, in astrological predictions in the Press. For example, the R.I.O. North Western Region, reports that in Bebington “masses of people appear to think that the war will be over this autumn, so that little further effort is required”, and the Local Information Committee express the opinion that this belief is partly due to the astrological forecasts in the press, and “that the newspapers concerned should be approached on the matter by the Government”.
(1, 2, 10, 13)
4. Rumours .
Rumours have not been numerous this week. For the most part, they reflect, in a distorted way, matters which are uppermost in the public mind. Thus, gipsy prophecies about the end of the war continue.
One district reports a sporadic outbreak of Haw Haw rumours, the first for a considerable time.
There was much local interest in loud explosions in the Bristol area on August 27 and September 1. Rumour attributed these to mines exploding, to demolition work, or to the breaking up of salvage, and reports loss of life in this connection.
In Fulham, it is said that women are being told that they might as well volunteer for fire duty now, as it has already been made compulsory in Ruislip, whose example is to be followed by Fulham.
A rumour in one area that National Savings Certificates revert to the State on the death of the owner is said to be responsible for people transferring their savings to post office accounts.
It is rumoured that the 'plane which dropped bombs on Cambridge on the night of August 28, before the sounding of the siren, was a captured British 'plane manned by Germans; and that both we and the Germans are using captured 'planes in our night attacks on each other.
The photographs of flak used in TARGET FOR TO-NIGHT are said to be from a German film (of our flak) found in a German 'plane brought down on the Isle of Wight.
Other rumours are: that all leave has been stopped as from August 31, Hitler's day of invasion being September 2: that the Germans will not now invade us as the invasion barges have been dispersed; that we are about to invade the Continent, Denmark, Sicily, and Genoa being mentioned as objectives; that M. Maisky said he could not understand why we didn't invade the continent; that the Germans will ask for and be granted an armistice this year; and that matches and soap are to be rationed.
(4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 22)
II. SPECIAL COMMENTS
5. Labour .
Production : Once again, it is widely stated that “delays in production still greatly disturb the workers; it is commonly suggested that piece-work rates are so adjusted as not to make it worthwhile for men to go flat-out”. Protests about enforced idleness are reported from several areas: thus the R.I.O. North Midland Region describes one district as “alive with stories of slackness and time-wasting”, and from the South Western Region come accounts of “discontent, among war-workers, with the system which permits them to be kept idle at intervals during the day, but employed on overtime when normal working hours are over”. It is alleged that the cost plus 10% system accounts in some measure for the situation, and where it has been abandoned in favour of more accurate costing, it is felt this should be made public. The general feeling on this subject appears to be summed up by the report of the R.I.O., Midland Region - “Evidence continues to be received of the view that the management and men are very remote from each other, and that little or no attempt is made either to explain problems to the men or to use the men's natural leaders as enthusiastic missionaries for greater production. Whether it be true or not, the opinion is still held that a vast number of factories could considerably increase their production figures if closer co-operation existed between employer and employee”.
Visits of Miners, etc., to Factories : Much praise has been recorded of the scheme for taking parties of miners round munitions works and other centres of war-effort for which coal is essential. The results are said to have been invariably good in stimulating the determination of the men to increase production. The same applies to visits by pilots of the R.A.F. to aircraft factories, giving the workers a closer sense of participation in our present air achievements; and the hope is expressed that this scheme will be widened to include many more classes of producers and operatives.
Communists : Reports from various sources confirm the effects of the recent change in the official party policy. Typical comment is: “The very people who seem to be making most noise about getting a move on, and defeating the Nazis as speedily as possible, are those who were doing their utmost to slow down war production when Germany and Russia had signed a Non-Aggression Pact. Now these people are working to take the initiative in imparting a new drive to our efforts. If their conversion is genuine, it would appear that they have it within their power, through their membership, to strengthen the national appeal for greater and still greater output”. There is, however, considerable irritation on the part of those who have already been working hard for two years, at being exhorted to greater effort by recent converts to the need for increased production.
Registration of Women : No detailed reports have been received since the Ministry of Labour's new announcement. There is said to be “a steady flow of questions from all classes as to why, if the Government wants women for work, it does not simply come and get them. The statement that the country is ready for any amount of compulsion continues to be commonly heard”. “Wild confusion” is still said to prevail because of women's uncertainty about the differences between registration and compulsory call-up. It is reported that “much depends on the Ministry of Labour representatives who do the interviewing. If they stick to the letter of their instructions, nothing happens. If they say that if the girl does not volunteer she will be made to go, they get results”. There is “considerable resentment among women who are already working that the middle and upper classes are still being allowed to “get away” with voluntary war-jobs as drivers, helpers in canteens, etc”, which can be made to look like whole-time work - “but if such women want time off, there is never any difficulty in their getting it”. (This is contrasted with the great difficulty experienced by women factory-workers in doing their household shopping. This problem is causing “more and more discontent” and is thought to be “seriously holding up the supply of woman-power”. Trades Union representatives again complain that “very few factories are giving facilities for shopping to their women workers”.) The opinion appears to be general that compulsion is most needed “among the women-folk of the income groups in which the wage earner is receiving from £400 upwards”.
There appears to be considerable relief on the part of the men in the Forces over the proposal to exempt their wives, though some sections of the civilian population claim that “with their husbands away these are the women who can most easily be spared, without home life being broken up more than it is already”. All classes seem unanimous that women with young children should be allowed to remain at home, although, on the part of the mothers themselves, there is an increasing call for nursery schools, crèches attached to factories, and better facilities for evacuating the ‘under 5's’, so that they may be able to take on war-work.
(1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 20 Manchester P.C. 22, 29)
6. Food .
Milk : Lord Woolton's statement that registration for milk does not imply rationing has been received with relief throughout the country, and “further details as they are forthcoming are considered reassuring”. It is thought a pity, however “that the authorities did not keep quiet until arrangements were complete, instead of allowing details of the scheme to be made known bit by bit, giving rise to so much anxious speculation”. This is particularly stressed “in view of the very widespread feeling that milk rationing would hit the people harder than any deprivation yet considered”. A warning voice from Scotland notes that “the Ministry of Food is advised to watch its step in regard to porridge. Though no longer universally popular, this is still a staple dish in Scotland, and large numbers of industrial workers, working overtime and having a late meal before turning in, are finding that porridge is best. Porridge is always served with milk and a shortage would mean a real hardship. This is a distinct case of Scotland's difference from the rest of the country, and should be remembered”.
Changes in diet : A special study on public attitudes to food generally from the R.I.O. Cambridge, makes the following points:-
War restrictions have brought much smaller dietetic changes to the poorer section of the community than to the higher income groups. For poor people “the acquisition of food in sufficient quantity and of a sufficiently sustaining nature has always been a major problem. Food as a topic of conversation is markedly absent in places where it might have been expected to loom large: in public houses, first-aid posts staffed by manual workers, and among persons seeking charity or assistance of any kind”; there are indications that “the poorer people themselves do not regard their food position as materially altered. It seems that so long as bread and potatoes are unrationed the position will be tenable, but that a threat to ration these commodities would cause instant alarm”. There appears to be far more confidence among the working classes generally that the flow of food is controlled and that supplies up to their own normal standards will be maintained. The increase in the cheese ration is very widely welcomed; the shortage of eggs is little felt; a certain amount of hardship is reported over the small sugar and jam rations; but in the main criticism is directed against the smallness of the meat ration for heavy workers, while attention is continually drawn to the difficulty of providing meals for men working away from home (i.e. the ‘packed lunch’ problem).
Among higher-income groups food is “one of the chief topics of conversation”. It is noticeable that “such persons, even where enabled by adequate funds to buy generously of non-rationed goods, and such luxuries as are available, have suffered a considerable reduction in their standard of living, though a far greater proportion of their income is now spent on food than in peace time”.
It would appear that, among the marginal income groups , money is being spent on food at the expense of clothing.
Invalids : Several reports have recently stressed the difficulty of procuring suitable foods for invalids and convalescents. In particular diabetics and those suffering from gastric and duodenal ulcers are mentioned as being “very hard put to it”. The fact that “a minimum number of 25 registrations is necessary for a supply of diabetic jam to a wholesaler, means that only those resident in large centres can procure this. It is suggested that supplies for a six-month period might be made available to individuals in rural areas”. Although diabetics are able to acquire all absolute essentials, “the shortage of salmon, sardines, vegetables and fruit greatly reduces variety, and may even give rise to actual hunger”. For gastric patients the scarcity of eggs has been a problem for some time, as custards, etc, form the backbone of their diet, and if their milk supply is reduced it is thought that the position will be very serious.
Communal Restaurants : Appreciation of communal restaurants, both as to cheapness and quality of food, continues to be expressed wherever they have been established. On all sides there appears to be growing demand that more should be started. In the towns, it is thought they would considerably relieve the shopping problem for factory workers, which is bound to become more acute in the winter on account of the early darkness. In country districts, where fair distribution of food has always been particularly difficult, it has been suggested that there might be great benefit from ‘cash-and-carry’ canteens attached to schools, so that children could buy and take the cooked foods home to parents who would otherwise never have a meal they did not cook themselves.
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 26, 29, 32)
7. Service Dependants' Allowances .
There has been no diminution in the volume of complaint about the inadequacy of these allowances. More cases of servicemen's families drifting into debt have been reported, as well as the “humiliation felt by people with decent standards of living in being forced on to public assistance”. From the Forces themselves come reports of anxiety among the men, especially those who are being sent abroad, about the position of their dependants.
(2, 4, 5, 7, 29, 32)
8. Wireless Spare Parts .
Anxiety about the present shortage of high-tension batteries (particularly in rural areas) and of valves falls under two heads: (a) anxiety over being cut off from official news and instruction in the event of a national emergency, (b) fear that rumours are apt to gain credence more readily where B.B.C. news is not regularly received.
(7, 9, 11, 22)
9. Fire-Watching .
Generally speaking, the Civil Defence Duties (Compulsory Enrolment) Order 1941 has been well received. The only outstanding grievance now seems to be in connection with enforced fire-watching, by tenants, of the property of absentee landlords. It is felt that “the preservation of the property is much more to the advantage of landlord than tenant”, and ill-feeling is reported, notably from Manchester, because “people who make their money in the city, but live outside, are not liable for duty”. In fiercely blitzed areas, such as Plymouth and Bristol, the opinion is strongly held that troops should be used more extensively for fire-watching, especially where men in the army, engaged on clerical work, are billeted on civilian hosts “some of whom are doing two or three nights a week Fire-Guard as well as a heavy day's work”. One R.I.O. mentions the bitter experience of “returning wearily from Fire-Guard to hear the fortunate soldiery snoring heavily”.
(4, 5, 6, 9, 10)
10. Clothes Rationing .
The new clothes rationing announcements appear to have been well received. Minor complaints which continue include the following:-
The suggestion is repeated that new ration books be supplied only on production of identity cards. It is thought that this would put a stop to the suspected trade in old ration books. (Many losses and thefts are reported.) Some people are concerned because the return of the remaining coupons in their old books has been refused after the issue of new cards. They feel “that the clerk should check up the old books before issuing new cards”. People who have lost their ration books, or whose books are minus covers or margarine pages, would appreciate directions from the authorities.
There is “some dissatisfaction” with the failure to grant more relief for lower age groups of children, and confusion as to what happens to infants born since the old ration books were issued, but before new cards can be obtained.
Difficulty is reported from the dental, nursing, and (occasionally) medical professions over white coats, which do not last long, owing to constant laundering, and which do not take the place of other clothes.
There are constant complaints from women obliged to give up coupons for overalls. Where factories have been in the habit of providing overalls, they can continue to do this coupon-free. But workers in factories giving sixpence a week “overall allowance” do not benefit in this way.
(2, 3, 5, 7)
11. Coal
In Northern Ireland, where there are no collieries, the prospect of a severe shortage of coal is causing apprehension. (The extent of the Government's drive for more turf is alleged to have been limited to “the insertion in Northern Ireland newspapers of advertisements urging the farmers to ‘cut more peat’”.)
In the Midland Region the coal shortage is reported to be “acute”, but elsewhere anxiety appears to be diminishing except among people in the London region who have been getting supplies through the Co-operative Societies, whose deliveries “have certainly been very erratic”.
(5, 9, 13)
12. Constant Complaints .
Shortages - particularly of eggs, tobacco and cigarettes, fruit, feeding stuffs (for poultry, goats and pigs.) paraffin, breakfast cereals, and fuel. Complaints of favouritism (“If you have money, you'll never want for anything”), of steady rise in prices, of unfair petrol distribution, of the milk scheme, of queues, and of unremoved scrap metal.
There is still an urgent demand for day nurseries; and for a simple leaflet to explain income tax complexities.
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 22)