A History of the Ministry of Information, 1939-46

493

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Weekly Report by Home Intelligence No. 52
Copy No. 30

(From Wednesday September 24th to Wednesday 1st October, 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.

494 495 2 496 3 497 4 498 5 499 6 500 7 501 8 502 9

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Home Intelligence Weekly Report No. 52 .
Copy No.

1st October, 1941

( covering the period from September 22nd to September 29th, 1941 )

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

No reports have been received since the Prime Minister's review of the war situation in the House of Commons on September 30th.

Special attention is drawn to this week's Appendix in which some conclusions arising from a year's work on these reports are summarised.

I. GENERAL COMMENTS

1. General state of confidence and reaction to news

Public spirits have recovered a little from the depression which followed the fall of Kiev. Although “the general attitude of the people remains serious and rather grim”, the lack of any further outstanding German successes on the Eastern Front - particularly round Leningrad and Odessa - has lessened the fear that a Russian crack-up is imminent. On the whole, confidence appears to be slightly higher than it was last week, but lower than for some weeks previous to that.

The fear of an eventual Russian collapse, perhaps before winter, remains at the back of many people's minds, finding expression in vehement demands that greater aid should be given to our allies “while British and American material might still be effective, in filling the gaps made in Russian industrial output”. Concern is still said to be growing “about our policy of inaction on land”, and the comment is reported once more: “If we can't do anything now, with 90% of the German army fully engaged, and the occupied countries seething, how can we ever hope to do anything?” The dispatch of R.A.F. men and material to Russia, though welcomed, is considered as yet an “inadequate response to the seriousness of the situation”.

Five R.I.O's reports speak of the connection in the public mind between what is considered “the smallness and slowness of our help to Russia”, and “distrust” of certain elements in the Government. Criticism of “those at the top” is more widely reported this week than for some time past: there is still said to be “suspicion that some Ministers are not too enthusiastic about collaboration with Russia”. In general it is thought that the Prime Minister is “far ahead of his cabinet”. There seems to be a fairly widespread feeling that the Government is “unable to act swiftly and effectively, through clogging machinery, and that it is on the wrong tack in trying to persuade people to co-operate, when compulsion following a frank presentation of facts would be more welcome”.

The main reactions to ‘Tanks for Russia Week’ have been:-

(1) among the simple majority, pleasure at the figures of increased production,

(2) among the more sophisticated, the suggestion that if production could suddenly jump by 20% there must be something wrong with our normal working methods,

(3) fear that this appeal will be made the basis of many similar drives; it is said that the workers have reached satiation point with appeals and Government campaigns.

From a number of areas, there are reports of “a feeling of unreality” about the war. This is attributed to the difficulty which people experience in visualising the gigantic scale of the distant struggle on the Eastern Front, to the improvements in the food situation, and to the continued absence of serious raiding.

The unpopularity of the army with the civilian population continues to cause concern. Resentment is felt on the home front that “key-men are still being called up to do nothing in uniform”, and “the immobility of the army causes comment to the effect that industry is being starved in the interests of a huge army which is not adequately used now, and which must soon be difficult to equip unless industry gets more men”. It is suggested that to counteract this criticism, more publicity should be given to the size of the forces we are maintaining overseas.

There is “a tendency to wonder whether the R.A.F. offensive sweeps over France and Germany are too expensive for the comparatively small results claimed”.

(1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 20 P.C. Bristol).

2. America

There is “little recorded comment on the present position regarding the Neutrality Act”. People seem to be taking it almost for granted that it will be repealed, and in fact, to regard U.S. entry into the war as only a matter of time.

(2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13).

3. Italy

It is said that “people are critical of our failure to strike at Italy; there is much talk of low morale there”, and there are suggestions of “a hand behind the scene, holding back our maximum effort, probably on religious grounds”. It is said that “air attacks on Genoa, Turin and Sicily cut no ice, as a belief persists that to bomb the capital would have a great psychological effect”.

(3, 5, 6)

4. The Inter-Allied Conference

Although there is now a pronounced tendency to “discount speeches of all kinds - we have heard too many”, considerable importance has been attached to this meeting, and “there has been little tendency to decry its pronouncements as empty assertions”; in particular “America's request to be kept informed of plans for post-war relief in Europe is taken as indicating that she accepts a certain responsibility for European reconstruction”, and Russia's adherence to the Atlantic Charter is felt to give “greater hope for post-war Europe”.

(1, 2, 13)

5. Fascist Camp Disturbances

Though it is regarded as of minor importance, public reaction to the disturbance by internees in the Isle of Man has been unanimously in favour of stronger disciplinary action. The following are typical of all R.I.Os' reports: “There is great indignation at the advantage taken by these enemies of the State of the fact that they are in British hands. They must know that in Germany, Italy or Russia they would certainly be shot”.... “It is felt that the authorities have been too lenient with them, and stern measures should be taken to make an example of the offenders”... “We had to show we are not Nazis”; but “there must be no more velvet-gloved handling of such people”. “There can be no doubt that the public would support the Government in the most rigorous action to suppress disturbances of this kind”.

(1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)

6. Broadcasting

It is said that “scarcity of real news in the Russian bulletins, and our own, is causing more people to turn to enemy broadcasters to know what is happening on the Eastern Front”, and more reliance is being placed on enemy bulletins. It is thought to be most damaging to our own news services when “a German claim is followed by B.B.C. protests that it is unconfirmed, suggesting that the German news agency has falsified a statement; and then follows the Russian admission of its truth”.

(2, 3, 5, 11, 12)

7. “Oxford Group” and “British Israelites”

Considerable criticism has been reported recently by several R.I.Os of what is regarded as “unfair efforts of the Buchmanites to avoid being called up in their respective age-groups”. Two R.I.Os this week mention intensified attempts to mobilise public opinion in support of their exemption, through newspaper and other channels; they draw attention to the report that “a letter to the Press in their favour, signed by a number of clergymen, is not a document compiled by those over whose signature it appears, but is a copy of a circular sent out by the Secretariat of the Oxford Group”.

It is deplored that “some measure of credence” is given to “prophecies put about by the British Israelites that the war will be over by the spring, as a result of a German defeat in the Middle East. This defeat, which is to follow decisive German successes in Russia, will bring about Germany's complete collapse.” It is suggested that such prophecies may lead to slackening of effort.

(2, 3, 5, 9)

8. Rumours

Rumours are few this week, and of a miscellaneous character: but income tax is cropping up increasingly - that “it is to be 18/- in the £”, and that “very soon they are going to take two years in one: in other words, they are going to tax us on income we haven't yet earned”.

Other rumours include:-

The Italian Royal Family are “getting out of Italy whilst they can”, and have left for America.

Food “to the value of £10,000” has been looted from convoys arriving at Liverpool from the States.

A B.E.F. has landed in Russia.

“The aerodromes in France are absolutely empty: there are no 'planes anywhere”. (This comes from a contact whose brother-in-law is a pilot, who “has been over France a lot recently”.)

There is a practice now in “some of the big shops, of making up lengths of crepe-de-chine into sheets for wealthy ladies to buy coupon-free”.

(5, 22, 32)

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS

9. Industry

Apart from the “Tanks for Russia” drive, the main public comments about industrial matters have been along the following lines:-

1. Criticism of the drafting of skilled men from industry into the Services. This is thought to be particularly undesirable when production for Russia is regarded as our most important task.

2. Complaints about reduction in overtime work. Workers are unwilling to recognise that a decrease in overtime work may lead to an increase in production, as it certainly leads to a decrease in time-work wages.

3. Complaints that men are transferred from jobs where they have been working hard to new jobs where they are comparatively idle.

4. Allegations that “cost plus percentage” is leading in many cases to employment of more workers than is really necessary; two R.I.Os and Postal Censorship report stories of foremen telling their men to “take it easy”.

5. Renewed requests that managements should give explanations to the men, whenever hold-ups of supplies occur; and reports of successful results when this has been done.

The closing down of a number of tinplate and sheet metal works in the Neath area (Glamorganshire) is reported to have caused considerable dissatisfaction; and the “compulsory removal” from the area of large numbers of skilled work-people is much criticised, especially because it is thought that they are being sent to England to do ordinary unskilled labourer's work. The spirits of the people in this area are said to be adversely affected and there is reported to be a strong feeling that, since “all the usual industrial necessities” (labour, coal, water, buildings, etc.) already exist, the present factories could be adapted for war production, thereby avoiding the “hardships and inconveniences” of compulsory migration.

(1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 20 Inverness P.C.,)

10. Registration of women

There is little to add to our last report on this subject; latest information received confirms what was said then. It appears to be “increasingly felt that single women should be conscripted for suitable work in industry and the Services, and that opportunities for local work should be afforded to married women with no children”. The news that younger shop girls are to be called up does not seem to have caused any stir; it is felt that “definite action of this type is welcomed, instead of patriotic, sentimental or other appeals”, but the question is asked, “What happens if a healthy young woman of 20 just says she won't work?”

It is said, in the case of the Services, that the smallness of dependants' allowances holds back many volunteers, because “so many of these girls contribute a considerable proportion of their earnings towards the home”.

(2, 3, 5, 7, 10)

11. Food

General Again this week there are “few complaints of major importance” about the food situation; and, according to most of the R.I.Os and Postal Censorship, satisfaction far outweighs criticism. The reduced price of bread, the control of the price of sweets, the distribution of oranges and the falling-off of queues all receive praise. Scarcity of fruit and eggs is reported from some Regions, and also queues for cakes and, in some cases, for bread. Thus, in Coventry, many bakers are reported to shut for long periods, as they say it is not worth while opening when they have bread only, as they make their money in cakes. As a result there are queues for bread and cakes even when there is plenty of bread, and this waste of their time is particularly resented by women workers.

“Trouble is reported to be brewing again over the milk problem”, and considerable apprehension and some annoyance is reported at the prospect of milk control on October 10th. Some sections of the public are complaining of having been “misled, as the impression created by Lord Woolton's last pronouncement was that there would be no rationing for some months”.

The suggestions that neighbouring families should “cook their meals on a communal system”, and that the oven should only be used once a week are described by many housewives as “ridiculous”, although they admit the need to economise fuel.

Praise for British Restaurants continues.

Black markets . There is a strong feeling that severe penalties should be imposed for Black Market offences. In the case of major offences, and the sale of spurious food substitutes, “the tide of public indignation is rapidly rising”. Sentences should be far more severe, it is felt, and should consist of imprisonment as well as heavy fines. It is even suggested “in some people's serious judgment, that the gang-leaders should be shot as guilty of ‘worse than desertion from the ranks’”.

More than one R.I.O. reports the connection in the public mind between the Jews and the Black Markets, chiefly as instigators, but also as customers “willing to pay any price to get things they want”. There is “unquestionable a feeling about that Jews in big business are behind the black markets”, and the recent disclosures are said to have intensified “acute and bitter anti-Jewish feeling” which exists in some quarters.

(1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 22, 32)

12. Civil Defence

Reports that the bulk of those registering for compulsory fire-watching (in the case of Salford, as high as 75%) have applied for exemption has increased the desire that women should be conscripted for the Fire Guard. Still more is it felt “that soldiers ought to share this duty, which at present falls most heavily on the elderly and less fit male population, many of whom carry increasingly heavy burdens in their daily work”. There is some criticism that “volunteer A.R.P. ‘key-men’ are not reserved except in their own individual occupation. One town reports having to lose two sub-Controllers, who were trained through active service last winter, and who are considered almost irreplaceable”.

Instances of ill-feeling are reported, as a result of the changes in the Fire Service under the new arrangements. There is “adverse criticism of the high salaries being paid to the Officers in the new Fire Force”.

(2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10)

13. Paper Shortage

It is suggested that, in view of the paper shortage, “steps should be taken to forbid the publication of a considerable number of wretched little magazines and other publications of no public value”. It is asked why collectors should have to save paper to make up the shortage, “when unnecessary publications are issued to a public that does not need them, or even want them”.

(13)

14. Transport

“Various reports again stress the need for re-organisation of transport services for workers”, and there is considerable apprehension in country districts as to the probable effects on health during the winter of waiting for buses in inclement weather. The difficulties of country people are particularly acute because they are often unable to board buses en route as they are filled at the starting place. According to one R.I.O. people waiting at bus stops “express themselves very heatedly at the number of cars whizzing along”. It is suggested that there should be another campaign to encourage motorists to give lifts to foot passengers, as this practice seems to be dying out of late; and unless people are in uniform they cannot usually succeed in making motorists stop.

Though the public as a whole does not regret the cut in the petrol ration, among private motorists there is a “good deal of talk concerning the new petrol allowance which operates after the first of October. The feeling seems to be that the allowance is so small that if a motorist pays tax and insurance and receives only a basic allowance and no supplementary allowance, he is either mad or breaking the law by getting petrol illegally”.

(2, 3, 7, 11, 32)

15. Income Tax and Wages

There is still a good deal of comment on the high wages paid to unskilled workers. It is even alleged that the workers themselves sometimes complain about being paid high wages for insufficient work. Farmers complain that they cannot “compete with the contractor who offers the village ‘ne'er-do-well’ £5 a week as a labourer on Government work; and farm hands who are tied to their work feel angered by a situation they can do nothing to remedy”. Considerable concern is expressed about youths, earning large amounts on temporary work such as demolition, where income tax is not deducted at source, because they are boasting that by the time they are called up they will owe the Government large sums. As most of these lads are minors, the debt will fall on their parents, and there are already cases of people defaulting in their rent because they are having to pay off debts for sons in the Army. What is described as “an impossible situation” is being created, as the parents have no control over their boys and are yet responsible for their debts.

There is reported to be “much discontent among British workmen at aerodromes in the Kettering district because the wages of Irish labourers are not subject to income tax deductions in the same way as their own. It is understood that until a man has been in employment for six months in this country he is not liable for tax; and the suggestion is made that when the six months are up some of these men go back to Ireland to seek other employment”.

It is suggested that explanatory talks should be given over the radio both on income tax and War Damage Insurance, on both of which considerable misunderstanding is still reported.

(2, 3, 5, 7.)

16. Evacuation

Reports of children in great numbers returning to the target areas continue to come from even the worst-hit towns. There is now considerable difference of opinion as to whether parents should be permitted to jeopardise their children's lives in this manner, although even those in favour of compulsory evacuation admit the difficulties in the way of such a policy. In view of the great public expense involved in evacuating and re-evacuating the same children (in some cases as many as 5 times) “a half-way solution” has been suggested:-

(1) A definite order that any child evacuated under Government auspices cannot be re-evacuated if the parents have brought the child home, except in special circumstances approved by the authorities.

(2) Refusal of any financial aid (for travelling) to parents who withdraw officially evacuated children from reception areas, except in special circumstances.

(3, 5, 10, 14 Wales)

17. Clothes Rationing

Shoreditch stretcher parties are said to be “in a fury” at having to surrender 18 coupons for their uniforms, especially as W.V.S. uniforms are coupon-free. There are also complaints from men in the Home Guard who have to buy special articles of clothing, when promoted to commissions, without extra coupons.

There is still a “lot of irritation” over the delay in the issue of forms for obtaining coupons when books have been lost, with the usual corollary that “plans should not be announced in the press before a scheme is complete”.

Enquiries about arrangements for growing children are said to be “constant”.

Complaints are reported about the difficulties of obtaining replacement coupons for clothes not delivered (for various reasons, such as theft, garments too small, etc. although coupons have been surrendered. The purchaser is left minus coupons and clothes.

18. Constant Topics and Complaints

The demand for explanatory broadcasts on income tax persists. A colliery official ascribes the decline in coal production partly to the miners' desire to avoid income tax. There are reports of a “feeling among workers generally that they lose money if they do too much work”.

Dependants' allowances are still described as “pitiably inadequate”.

The demand for more meat for miners and heavy workers increases, as does that for more day nurseries.

There are complaints of the “arrogance and discourtesy” of shopkeepers and their assistants; of waste of petrol (particularly on race-going and by the Army); of non-collection of salvage; of bad eggs; of excessive prices charged for - and shortage of - fresh fruit; shortages of cigarette lighters, flints for cigarette lighters, matches, coal, paraffin, wireless batteries and valves, beer, and tobacco.

(2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 32)

503

REFERENCES

1. Northern Region (Newcastle) Weekly reports from R.I.O's.
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.O's
15. M.O.I. Speakers' Reports
16. Local Information Committee Reports
17. Home Press Summaries M.O.I.
18. Regional Press Summaries
19. Hansard
20. Postal Censorship
21. Police Duty Room Reports
22. Mass Observation
23. Wartime Social Survey
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

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