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SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Weekly report by Home Intelligence - No. 53
Copy No. 33

8th 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.

It may be convenient to remind all recipients of this report that it is a confidential document, and therefore should not be disclosed to anyone else except by special authority of the Director of the Home Division of the Ministry of Information.

468 469 2 470 3 472 5 474 7 475 8 478 11

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Home Intelligence Weekly Report No. 53 .

8th October, 1941 .

(covering the period from September 29th to October 6th, 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.

1. General state of confidence and reaction to news

Although public spirits have again risen slightly this week - as they always have done after a vigorous speech by the Prime Minister - the general level of feeling still seems to be lower than at this time last month. This appears to be due in part to the widespread acceptance of M. Maisky's recent warning that winter will not bring a respite to the hard-pressed Russian armies. The realisation that their position shows no improvement, “and that the threat to Kharkov, the Crimea and the Moscow front is very serious” causes a strong undercurrent of anxiety. It now seems to be generally understood throughout the country that increased help for Russia is by far the most urgent of our problems. Although “pockets of apathy and a feeling of remoteness from the war” are still reported, especially from rural districts, more and more people “hitherto indifferent to Russian reverses”, are said to be “grasping the idea that the Battle of Britain is being fought on the Eastern front”.

In connection with this strengthening of public feeling on the subject of aid for Russia, there is much criticism of what is believed to be the smallness of the contribution we have so far made. On the other hand, there is great interest in the exploits of the R.A.F. wing now operating with the Russian forces, and a demand that we should see photographs of it. The speed and apparent success of the Moscow Conference have everywhere caused considerable satisfaction, and Lord Beaverbrook's stock has gone up through the efforts he is thought to have made to expedite matters.

Disappointment at the absence of a land offensive in the West, though still very forcibly expressed, is said to be giving way gradually to the opinion that war material in bulk, rather than a costly effort to divert German forces, is the most pressing need of our Ally at the moment. A symptom of the earnestness of the public's desire to support Russia, in every possible way, is the report that though the improvement in our food position has naturally been noted with pleasure, “people are asking why the extra shipping which is evidently available could not be used for sending supplies to Russia, rather than to increase our rations. To ask people to tighten their belts to help Russia would be on excellent antidote to complacency”.

Suspicion of anti-Soviet feeling among certain members of the Cabinet still lingers, and Mr. Churchill's vindication of Colonel Moore-Brabazon has not yet died out of public discussion.

Among factors making for increased cheerfulness this week are:-

Factors making for lessened confidence include:-

2. Mr. Churchill's speech

The Prime Minister's prestige is now generally so high - “he is regarded as No. 1. King Pippin” - that in some quarters any public pronouncement he makes is almost sure to be hailed as “his best yet”. More sober opinions of the speech were that it was unexpectedly cheerful, considering the gravity of the situation. “He is never the man to mislead us for the sake of giving a bright view” - so that on balance the speech may be said to have had a considerable heartening effect, despite its emphasis on Hitler's still unshaken power to wage three separate campaigns simultaneously if he should decide to do so. The two points most seized upon for discussion were the disclosure of Germany's weakness in the air, and the relative changes in Allied and German shipping losses. An improvement in our shipping position had been taken for granted, but the extent of it seems to have come as a surprise to the public.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 20 Bristol, Manchester P.C.'s, 21, 29)

3. Italy

This week's reports from R.I.Os and other sources show a unanimity of public feeling on the subject of striking at Italy. It is felt that we should now press home our attacks on her with every means in our power. Five R.I.Os specifically mention an increased demand for the bombing of Rome. This appears to be desired not only as a reprisal for the attack on Cairo, but because it is firmly believed that “a few hard and well directed blows would put Italy out of the war altogether”. In connection with the keeping of our pledge of reprisals, it is said that “the explanation that only the suburbs of Cairo were bombed is met with the retort that the factories in Rome are in the suburbs, and could be bombed without touching the Vatican”.

(2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 20 Special, 21)

4. Execution of hostages, and unrest in occupied territory

The public continues to express “the greatest horror” at accounts of hostages being killed by the enemy. While there is much discussion of the stories of unrest and resistance to German rule in occupied countries, the public is said to be “level-headed in its realisation” that the German grip is still too strong for this manifestation of hatred to count seriously on our side as yet, although its importance as an ultimate factor of victory is accepted. There is some anxiety that “our propaganda should prevent European unrest from breaking into open revolt before the time is ripe”, lest the forces on our side should be wasted in unorganised resistance.

(2, 4, 5, 11)

5. America

Although there are still occasional suggestions that the United States “talks too much and does too little”, the general decline in hostility towards the States is summed up in the following report: - “The usual argument is, why should they move faster than they are doing at present? They are busy training air and land forces, and giving us tremendous help at sea, at a time when we are practically disengaged on land, and are evidently not prepared to undertake offensive action even in a small way. If Great Britain is looking on herself as the arsenal of Russia and avoiding land action, why should the U.S.A. precipitate her entry into the war when she is the arsenal of Great Britain as well as of Russia?”

(1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 11)

6. Air raid and invasion prospects

“The recent attacks on the North-East have sharpened expectation of winter raids to some extent”. In view of the great strides which are believed to have been made in the detection of enemy aircraft, “disappointment has been expressed at our failure to bring down more of the few raiders who nightly visit this country”.

Comment on the inconsistency of Ministerial speeches about the winter's prospects has been recorded in earlier reports: “Warnings given by the Prime Minister and by Mr. Morrison, on the possibility of still more savage air attacks, have been partially nullified by a statement from the Secretary of State for Scotland that ‘any air attacks on Britain will be at least one third less in intensity.’”

There is a general consensus of opinion, that despite anything which the Prime Minister may say, the public has put the possibility of invasion of this country “clean out of mind”.

(1, 2, 5, 7, 13, 29)

7. News presentation

Whenever news from the main theatre of war is scanty there are reports of increased listening to enemy broadcasts. This is particularly noticeable just now, when the Soviet bulletins so often consist of little more than the announcement that “fighting continued all along the front”. Of our own radio services it is said that the public “yearn for fewer slogans and speeches of exhortation, and more explanation, direct instruction, and even command”. This is in accord with the general trend of public feeling: i.e. weariness of Government appeals and campaigns of all kinds, and a marked desire for the use of compulsion.

Not since Quentin Reynolds' first broadcast has there been such a spontaneous outburst of approval for a Postscript as that given to the Merchant Seaman's talk after the news last Sunday night.

(2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 29)

8. Rumours

It is again rumoured that Hess was taken to the Atlantic meeting of President Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill. This time the story comes from a man in a Middlesex suburb “who remembers reading something about it” in the News Chronicle. The delay in repatriation of wounded prisoners was attributed to a demand from Hitler that Hess be included among those returned to Germany.

Rumours - given substance by newspaper reports of interviews with recent arrivals from the Continent - that the Germans have removed all their modern weapons from the West to the Eastern front are encouraging a new demand for an invasion by us.

Other rumours are that we already have an expeditionary force of 40,000 in Russia; that during large-scale army manoeuvres last week “a bus-load of soldiers was driven into a river during the black-out, and all were drowned”; that “hunting horses have been slaughtered for human consumption”; that “hats are to be rationed”.

(2, 3, 12, 22)

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS .

9. Industry

The “growing concern and dissatisfaction of the public at the continued references in the Press to mismanagement and slackness in essential war factories” are still reported from many parts of the country. People are said to be growing tired of “speeches and lectures” and of “continual pleading both to managements and workers to increase production”. It is felt that this confirms the impression of inefficiency and slacking, and is a “grave reflection upon the powers that be”. “If our war production is not up to full strength”, it is asked, “why are not steps taken to conscript labour for essential war work, instead of constantly appealing to those already in it?” There is still some “feeling of disappointment that the Minister of Labour has not used the sweeping powers entrusted to him. A considerable section of the public would welcome more direction and compulsion”. There is renewed criticism of the “cost plus 10%” system as a waste of both manpower and money.

The success of Tanks-for-Russia Week has produced conflicting reactions. Some people ask: “Surely we should be working at such speed and pressure all the time? If we had been working as we should, such an increase would have been impossible”. But concern is felt by those who fear that “the effect on the workers of such greatly increased production may be serious if it is maintained”, because it is “physically impossible for human beings to work 100% indefinitely”.

The continued drain of skilled workers into the Forces is still reported to be causing concern in many industries, and employers and men ask that key men who are taken into the Services should at least be employed on skilled work for which their training and experience fit them.

There are reports of considerable ill-feeling in one area “where skilled men in engineering and munition works find that they may earn lower wages than unskilled men who have been brought in since the outbreak of war, and are paid for piece work”.

It is felt that an appreciable amount of discontent among the workers would be avoided if the officials of the Employment Exchanges were in a position to give more accurate information to those who are transferred from, or revert to, one industry from another. “As it is obviously impossible for every clerk to acquire adequate knowledge of the varied and changing conditions governing the different forms of employment, it is suggested that an experienced official should be appointed to each exchange as a whole-time enquiry officer. The counter clerks, relieved of the necessity of searching for the appropriate regulations applicable to individual enquiries, would then be able to deal more quickly with the routine work. At the same time the applicant would receive more sympathetic attention and accurate information”.

(1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 15, 21, 29)

10. Registration of women

After the recent intensive campaign for women war workers in the Birmingham district, the R.I.O. Midland Region made a special report from which the following points have been taken:-

(1) Compulsion would be welcomed by the great majority. (Most reports from other sources confirm this view). Many women are said to be holding back, because they feel that compulsion will come in the end and they might just as well wait till it does. It is suggested that if the present method of registration is, in the last resort, equivalent to compulsion, propaganda should be put out to make this clear.

(2) Greater facilities are needed for looking after the children of married war workers. It is estimated that in the Birmingham district alone 300 day nurseries are required: at present there are 11 in use, 9 under construction and 5 being considered. In some cases women are paying as much as £1 a week for their children to be looked after by other working-class mothers; and it is urged that, rather than leave the majority of women to make their own private arrangements in this way, it would be better to relax the high standard of equipment and training and institute a number of semi-official day nurseries in which a reasonable standard was maintained.

(3) The food problem is slightly easier at present, particularly in those factories where special shopping facilities are given to women workers. But it remains a potential source of difficulty, which might become acute if Regional Commissioners were to exercise their power of closing food shops at 4 p.m., as it is estimated that “the majority of those shopping between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. are war workers”.

(4) There is a definite feeling that well-to-do women and those of the upper classes tend to avoid war work altogether, or else undertake work of a semi-charitable nature; it is suggested that the wives of those occupying leading positions should be either encouraged or enlisted into munitions work. (Other reports give strong confirmation of this point of view.)

(5) It is suggested that a badge be issued to all war workers, including those engaged on munitions and also those in the Civil Service, and that it should carry with it special shopping and transport facilities.

Most of these observations are confirmed by other information received this week. In addition, the following points may be noted:-

A.T.S. Several reasons to account for the unpopularity of the A.T.S. are suggested by the R.I.O. of the North Midland Region, where a recruiting drive has been taking place. (The general attitude to the campaign seems to be summed up in the remark:- “If they really want us, they will conscript us”.)

(2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 12, 14 Midland, 29)

11. Income Tax

Misunderstanding about Income Tax is still reported. Many people seem to think they are paying 10/- in the pound on the whole of their income; and it is said that “few people seem to have understood or believed the post-war credit plan”.

Two familiar complaints are still heard;

Married women are said to be discouraged from taking up paid war work because the tax on their earnings would be added to the tax on their husbands. After paying a woman to take their place in the home and allowing for their own extra travelling and feeding expenses, they feel that they would be working practically for nothing, as well as upsetting their homes.

It is suggested that “some instruction should be given in the elementary economics underlying the necessity for reduced consumption and increased saving”.

(5, 6)

12. Earlier closing of shops and entertainments during winter

The following conclusions have been drawn from a recent enquiry, by the R.I.O. Eastern Region, into the public's view of a proposal that shops and public entertainments should close earlier during the winter months.

(1) In non-industrial towns and small market towns it is thought that no hardship would result if shops closed at 5.00 or 5.30 p.m.

(2) In large industrial areas it would appear that (a) a section of married women workers would be seriously affected by an earlier closing of shops, unless some concession could be arranged for them; (b) the elimination of lunch-time closing is most desirable, especially in the larger centres; (c) all workers would suffer considerable discomfort if hairdressers' hours were further reduced. (According to certain factory welfare officers, shopping needs caused little absenteeism during the summer, and there were few complaints on this score. Reasons suggested for this included allowance of an extra hour at lunch-time on Friday or Saturday, leaving at 5 p.m. on Fridays, or an arrangement that most Saturday afternoons are free for married women workers).

(3) The opinion of shopkeepers and assistants, in contrast to the general feeling, seems to be that shops could close earlier without causing any hardship to shoppers. It is pointed out that “in general they tend to show little appreciation of the shopping difficulties of customers”. (The discourtesy of shop assistants was referred to as a subject of complaint in the last two Home Intelligence Reports, and is mentioned again by R.I.Os this week).

(4) In the case of public entertainments it is felt to be unnecessary that there should be an earlier closing time, because in most provincial towns the end of the performance is timed to fit in with the last buses. “The security question is universally thought to solve itself” and it is felt that it would be unwise to interfere with a “widely indulged habit like cinema-going for any but the most easily-defended reasons”.

(14 Eastern)

13. The Black-out

The restrictions of the black-out appear to arouse even more apprehension on the part of the general public than the prospect of renewed raids. There seems to be widespread interest in the Moscow experiment of not imposing the black-out till the “alert” is sounded. Apart from the oppressiveness of the black-out and the curtailment of social activities, various reasons are advocated for a relaxation of the regulations. Loss of production, street accidents and eye-strain are all quoted, as well as the greatly increased difficulty and discomfort of travelling. It is even suggested that the increase of T.B., which has occurred since the war, may be partly accounted for by the black-out, with the lack of fresh air which it entails.

(2, 4, 7, 11, 20 Bristol P.C.)

14. Food

Satisfaction with the food situation, which has been general for the last three weeks, has now been greatly enhanced by the announcement that the ration of sugar and fats is to be increased. This is said to have exceeded expectation. It is felt that the Ministry of Food has done a good job, and that “we should be thankful that in the third year of war there is so little privation”. It is pointed out that “only those who want to live at the pre-war level have any grumbles now”.

The announcement that the milk scheme is to start on October 12th seems to have caused very little comment, possibly because “it is now realised that the proposed reduction in the milk allotment to one-third of a pint per person per day will not be imposed till later in the winter”. There is, however, some “scepticism” as to the sufficiency of the supplies of dried and condensed milk, especially in country towns.

There is again criticism of the small fines imposed on offenders against food regulations, and particularly those guilty of “black market offences”. There is some demand that “imprisonment should also be imposed, since fines are considered no deterrent to wealthy firms”.

Although there is very general satisfaction at the reduced price of bread, the increase in the price of flour is causing some dismay among those who bake at home. This is particularly felt in the Northern Region, where home-baking has survived more generally than elsewhere, and it is even suggested that “the Minister of Food is trying to stamp out the practice of home-baking”.

The extension of the “Cash and Carry Plan” by means of motor vans, based on a British Restaurant and capable of carrying hot meals into remote villages, has been very well received in the South Eastern Region. It is said to be “a real help to country dwellers and workers in easing the problem of the mid-day dinner, and in bringing them advantages similar to those enjoyed by townsfolk”.

(1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14 Northern Region, 20 Bristol, Cambridge, Manchester, Carlisle, Nottingham P.C.s)

15. Dependants' Allowances

Individual cases of hardship continue to be reported in great number, “each one of them a local focus of burning resentment against what is called shabby treatment by the Government of our fighting men”. A post office worker is quoted by one R.I.O. as saying: “Monday morning, when we pay out dependants' allowances, is dreadful. It is not only what the women say; you can see misery and even malnutrition in their faces, the allowance is so pitiably inadequate”. One of the main subjects of complaint is the slowness with which relief is granted in especially bad cases: “Supplementary allowances, possibly because they are handed out by the Assistance Board, are regarded as charity, and the inevitable ‘means test’ is felt to be often unfair”. A contact who has made a survey in one locality of the amounts paid to Service Dependants in cases of hardship, says: “It looked as though those responsible for the grants shut their eyes, picked a number out of a hat, and gave the proceeds to the next applicant”.

(1, 5, 32)

16. Official Information

It is being found that when the B.B.C. makes a preliminary announcement as to the replacement of lost Ration Books or the supply of extra clothing coupons for older children, many people at once try to take immediate action in spite of being explicitly asked to do nothing until a further announcement is made. It has been suggested, therefore, that it might be more satisfactory to postpone announcements till the machinery for carrying them into effect is completely ready, thus saving officials much avoidable waste of time.

It is also suggested that greater publicity should be given, in Post Offices and elsewhere, to local addresses to which people should apply for information on specific points such as War Damage Insurance, Supplementary Allowances, recovery of lost ration books, etc., and also the addresses of the local Citizens' Advice Bureau and Information Centre. It is thought that the situation of British Restaurants is insufficiently known to the people who could make use of them. For example, a lorry driver, whose work takes him all over London, has the greatest difficulty in finding the Communal Feeding Centres, and is told that no list of them is issued.

(5, 12)

17. Clothes Rationing

“Many Leeds Air Raid Wardens state that they will refuse the forthcoming issue of Civil Defence battledress if they have to give up coupons”.

Some uncertainty is still expressed as to the definition of ‘loose coupons’. Many people have loose coupons in their old ration books, due to their removal by grocers before the introduction of clothes rationing. It is felt, particularly in North Midland Region, that “the whole system is full of absurdities and inconsistencies which encourage law breakers”.

(2, 3, 5)

18. Constant Complaints

Inadequate transport for workers is increasingly criticised. In Leeds much comment is occasioned by “the excessive transport facilities available for a fashionable wedding, whereas transport for funerals is almost unobtainable, and 'bus services are restricted”. In Leicestershire 'buses are said to have shortened their run, thus obliging workers to walk “some distance” to certain factories, and resulting in loss of working time.

There is “still a serious shortage” of wireless batteries and valves. In a recent enquiry carried out by the B.B.C. among 5,000 listeners it was found that “about 20% of them had battery sets. 30% of these declared they have “great difficulty” in getting batteries, while 38% experience “some difficulty”. (A group of 10% was unable to reply, as they are not personally responsible for the sets on which they listen).

The proposed requisitioning of railings for scrap continues to arouse wide criticism. It is suggested that “necessary railings may be removed as part of what is regarded as a ‘stunt’ campaign, whilst many dumps of old iron, old motor cars, and steel girders on bombed sites are still not cleared”.

The discourtesy of shop assistants is said to be spreading, and is viewed “with increasing resentment”.

Other causes of complaint are:-

Petrol wastage (especially by “highly-placed officials using highly-powered cars”); road speeding by military personnel; high wages earned by young people; that our Middle-East Forces “are not receiving letters”; the difficulty of getting alarm clocks and parts for repairing watches; “back-door service” - and shortage of - beer; bad eggs; and shortages of coal and paraffin, cigarettes and matches, breakfast cereals, and British Restaurants.

The need for nurseries is said to be “more acute than ever”.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 25)

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