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SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Weekly report by Home Intelligence - No. 59
Copy No. 34

19th November, 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.

385 388 4 389 5 391 7 392 8 394 10 395 11

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT NO. 59

19th November, 1941

(Covering period from 10th November to 17th November, 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

There has been a definite rise in spirits this week. The main reason is the absence of any spectacular gains by Germany on the Eastern Front, but contributory causes are:-

Against this must be placed:-

The balance, however, has been well in favour of increased confidence.

Russia . The apparent stabilisation of the Moscow and Leningrad fronts, coinciding with reports of bitter cold and snow in Russia, have revived, despite M. Maisky's warnings, the hope that winter will greatly help our Ally. The public does not anticipate the fall of either of the great cities in the immediate future. Considerable anxiety persists, however, at the threat through the Crimea to the Caucasian oil, and to our supply lines to Russia. This has shown itself in a renewal of concern lest we are not doing everything possible to get supplies through to Russia in time. Satisfaction is strong whenever there is news of our munitions and those of America reaching the fighting line. Although the outcry for a second front in the West is dying, in face of the fuller realisation of the shipping and equipment problems involved, there is a growing desire (and in some quarters expectation) that we should make some offensive move ourselves in the Middle Eastern theatre of war “before it is too late, and the great opportunity has gone by”.

There is considerable praise for M. Stalin's recent speeches, and admiration for the evidence of efficient Russian organisation as shown by their successful resistance. There does not, however, appear to be any growth of sympathy for British communists.

Mr. Churchill's Speeches . Both his Guildhall speech and his recent review of the war situation in the House of Commons have been as warmly received as usual. There has, however, been some comment on the fact that Russia, our Ally, was not also named when he stated that if America were involved in war with Japan, the British declaration would follow within the hour - a promise which has otherwise been unanimously welcomed. His statements about air parity and the drop in our Atlantic losses, coupled with the rise in the sinking of Axis vessels, have been described as “heartening above anything we have heard lately”.

Government Personnel . R.I.O's reports, Postal Censorship, and other sources continue to express “disappointment at the failure to prune out the dead wood in the Cabinet”. It is said that, “trusted as the Prime Minister is personally, the public is unwilling to accept the assumption that the Cabinet must stand or fall together.” Criticism of unpopular Ministers continues. “The strong suspicion of anti-Soviet feeling in powerful quarters” is thought to have “intensified”. As evidence of this, our failure to declare war on the German “vassal states” fighting Russia is quoted.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 21, Special, Bristol P.C.'s, 22)

2. Japan and U.S.A.

“News of the revision of the Neutrality Act has been received with Jubilation”. Four R.I.Os mention, however, concern at the small margin in the final voting. This is said to have given rise to “a feeling of doubt as to how far America really is with this country in the present struggle”, and even to “a chill of apprehension when news of strikes and Labour divisions follow immediately after the revision”. But it is also pointed out that “while there is considerable impatience at what is felt to be the selfishness of the opposition to Roosevelt's efforts to help this country and Russia, there is also growing appreciation of the fact that these questions must be regarded as America's own concern; and the opposition is not regarded as pro-Hitler”. On the whole, there is great faith in President Roosevelt's ability and determination to overcome such obstacles.

Belief in the imminence of trouble with Japan has increased considerably. From being a subject of “obstinate dimness in the public mind”, Far-Eastern relationships have become a topic of general discussion, “of second interest only to Russia”. Among large sections of the population, the spreading of war to the Pacific is now thought to be “inevitable”. It is considered by some people that “if this is so, the repeal of the Neutrality Act comes too late to be of direct advantage to us at present, as the United States will have to concentrate her resources on her immediate foe”. In any case, the firm attitude adopted by Britain and America towards Japan has been thoroughly approved. There is no evidence of any apprehension at the thought of open war with Japan.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)

3. Sinking of the Ark Royal and the Cossack

Although the loss of the famous aircraft carrier is considered a notable blow to our Mediterranean strength, it has not been accepted as a national disaster, like the sinking of the Hood, but as a curiously personal matter. Reports speak of the Ark Royal as “an old friend”, and “a ship for which the public had a great affection”. There has been much relief over the news of the very small loss of life involved.

Some of the same sentiment - regret for a tried friend - has made the loss of the Cossack loom larger in the public imagination than that of other destroyers.

(2, 5, 7, 9, 12)

4. R.A.F. Losses

Although the shock of the news that thirty-seven bombers were lost in one night was considerable, the public appears to feel that our bombing of Germany is of the utmost importance at the present moment, and that sacrifices must therefore be expected. Many people, however, have not accepted the “bad weather” explanation as satisfactory. It is widely said:-

The fact that so few of our aircraft are lost in Mediterranean operations, considering the scope of our bombing, continues to cause great satisfaction, as does also the maintenance of our attack on Italy.

(1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 12)

5. Broadcasting and Presentation of News

“The fact that the number of vessels claimed as destroyed in the Mediterranean convoy was less than the Italians subsequently admitted” has been very generally noted, and it is said that “this has done much to confirm faith in our communiqués”. There has also been favourable comment on the promptness with which the news of the sinking of the Ark Royal was given. It is said that “when news items have been few, this last week, the B.B.C. has made no attempt to spin them out”, and this too is regarded as “one up to the B.B.C”.

On the other hand, “hearty dislike” has been recorded, especially on the part of R.A.F. pilots and crews, “of the totally false impression often given that our raids are a sort of happy picnic for the men concerned”. They are said to “resent the public being given the idea that it is all exciting and enjoyable, whereas it is often sheer hell, and to feel that if the truth were told, the country as a whole might benefit by an increased drive towards production”.

Some criticism comes from industrial areas that “the limiting of important announcements to the period following the six o'clock news is absurd; this is now emphasised by the number of women in industry who are not at home at that time”.

Christopher Stone's birthday greetings to the King of Italy have been accepted by a few people as “rather an amusing incident”; the majority of comments, however, show that it has aroused deep indignation, and is thought “a very bad bloomer”. There is reported to be “some concern that the incident should have been possible”, and a desire that more responsible control should be exercised by the B.B.C.

General Wavell's admission that the German attack had surprised him, although deplored by many people as a military fact, has apparently had the effect of increasing his personal prestige. It is felt that a general who can admit his errors is a man of integrity and worth, of greater value to the war effort than one who would not dare admit himself wrong.

There is some criticism of the B.B.C.'s handling of Hitler's last speech. It is described as being put out in “a very coloured propagandist form, instead of being a clear factual statement of what he said, with comments afterwards”.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)

6. Rumours

Rumours continue to be few.

The Cossack is reported to have sunk off the Firth of Forth on Thursday, November 6th.

In Scotland rumours are current that we are planning a large scale invasion of Norway - it is said that long troop trains going northwards have been frequent recently. It is also believed that “numerous small raids and landings on the continent are taking place already”.

It is rumoured that rice is to be rationed on January 1st.

(11, 32)

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS

7. Industry

There are fewer comments on production this week, but “management muddles, leading to periods of enforced idleness” continue to be the subject of complaint; it is contended that the managements of Government munition factories are often ill-chosen and know little about production planning.

Cost plus 10% . Many workers, it is said, would “welcome stricter Government control of production, with the abolition of the profit motive which is still believed to conflict with the National interest”. In spite of ministerial statements, there still appears to be a deep-rooted belief that the cost plus 10% system is extensively used in Government contracts, and that it is largely instrumental in putting up costs and wasting manpower.

Strikes . The public are still said to be highly indignant at signs of industrial unrest. In the case of the Glasgow bus strike, the general public had no sympathy whatsoever for the strikers, and warmly approved the action of the Ministry of War Transport in calling in the military to help to get war workers to their jobs during the stoppage. Many people feel that the strong action of the Glasgow Corporation in dismissing the strikers was later nullified by the decision to allow the strikers to report for duty again.

(2, 3, 6, 11)

8. Registration of Women

The desire of the great majority of women for outright compulsion continues to be widely reported, with the provision that no loopholes must be left for the wealthy or privileged. Women are said to be tired of being “alternately threatened and cajoled”; they “want to be told categorically what they are to do and where they are to go”. Mr. Bevin's appeal for 1,000,000 wives is said to have caused some indignation. A man's reaction, said to be typical of many, is “Why should my wife be appealed to in this way, when she can go into a hairdresser's in Bristol, and find eight young women just attending to women's hair?”

There is still evidence of misunderstanding, and many women are confused as to “why the Minister of Labour can prosecute girls who refuse to take industrial jobs, but cannot compel them to join the A.T.S”. Uncertainty continues as to which are the essential and non-essential trades; and it is suggested that publicity, on this question and also on the exact powers of the Minister of Labour, might be useful.

The wireless discussion between the Ministry of Labour representative and a member of the public has caused a good deal of interest, and the general opinion seems to have been that the woman reflected well what the public is saying, and “showed up the Ministry of Labour's policy, dropping its stock to an even lower record depth”.

The following points continue to arouse comment:-

Time-Lag . There is still criticism of the delay in calling up women who have volunteered or registered. This time-lag is attributed to “lack of co-ordinated planning by the authorities”. There is also comment on the difficulties arising when textile workers are released before the munition factories are ready to absorb them, and when women are taken on in an aircraft factory to replace men who nevertheless continue to be kept “hanging about for some weeks before going to more vital work”. “Lack of co-operation” between the factories and the Labour Exchanges is held to be responsible for this kind of thing, and to result in a loss of enthusiasm on the part of would-be workers.

Class-feeling . There continues to be a feeling that there are “too many leniencies and gaps in registration”; there is a belief that girls with money are managing to avoid the net; the large numbers seen about in cafes and tea-rooms in the cities are taken as proof of this. The apathetic attitude among middle-class women continues to cause much comment. In some areas there is reported to be a good deal of feeling that Jewish girls are finding some method of escaping war work, and caustic references are made to the “number of frail Jewish mothers who need to keep their daughters at home to look after them”.

Part-time work . The need for opportunities for part-time work is still widely reported, and appears to be increasing.

Older Women . There is still a demand for war-work on the part of older women, who are said not to understand why more use cannot be made of them.

Civil Service . There are complaints that the authorities are slow in combing out girls between the ages of 20 and 30, who, “though totally inexperienced”, went into Ministries to avoid calling up. There has been much approval for the comb out of the voluntary services.

Obstacles to the Recruitment of Women . The following continue to be reported:-

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 32)

9. The A.T.S.

Many reasons continue to be suggested to account for the apparent reluctance to join the A.T.S. Among the following, the first four apply equally to the other uniformed Services:-

(3, 5, 6, 8)

10. Wages

Discontent is once more widely reported on the “anomalies” in pay, as between “under-paid essential workers and highly paid non-essential workers”. “Disgust is expressed at inexperienced munition workers receiving much higher wages than Service men and agricultural workers”. The high wages of unskilled workers “continue to cause trouble”, and there are said to be instances of “large increases in wages given to unskilled workers immediately upon a factory being taken over by the Government”. The high wages of juvenile workers are again criticised.

(2, 3, 6, 10)

11. Food

General satisfaction with the food situation continues to be reported.

Tinned Foods Order The announcement that tinned food is to be rationed caused great pleasure on the part of the public, but some dismay on the part of both wholesale and retail grocers, who feared that the organisation might be inadequate and that sufficient supplies would not arrive in time. The postponement of the order has disappointed the public, but grocers are said to welcome it, as in many cases they had not received more than a small proportion of their allocations. If the Points Coupon system succeeds, it is thought that an extension to other rationed foods would be welcomed. The issue of Points Ration Books is said to have “gone off most satisfactorily”.

Milk Rationing In some areas there is said to be considerable feeling that Government statements on the cut in milk supplies are “unconsidered and inaccurate”, and that the distribution is unfair. Cuts considerably greater than the expected 15% are mentioned.

Salt Cod On the whole this is said to have been received “without enthusiasm”: and the desire for fresh fish is still reported to be unassuaged.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21 Manchester, Bristol P.C.s)

12. Income-Tax

As a result of 52 reports from Information Committees and other contacts in London, as well as reports from other regions, the following aspects of public feeling about income tax are apparent:-

(4, 8, 14 London Region, 21 Bristol P.C.)

13. “Comrades in Arms”

Spontaneous reports indicate that this pamphlet has been widely welcomed as “a sign of the Government's good faith in the Russian alliance”. There is, however, some criticism that it is “too flamboyant”, and “too costly to produce”: and there is also cynical comment on the photograph of M. Molotov signing the agreement, “as it is thought to be almost identical with the picture of him reproduced when he was signing the agreement with Ribbentrop”. Exception has been taken to one item, the story of a Russian nurse acting as a spy, on the grounds that this is believed to be directly contrary to the terms of the Geneva Convention regarding the functions of nurses in war time”.

(3, 9)

14. Entertainment of Dominions personnel

Reports that “they are having a dreary time” in this country come from Dominions men now serving here with the R.A.F. The gist of their complaint is that they are not being entertained as their families and friends would entertain men from the Home country, if these were serving in the Dominions. Local people point out the following difficulties:-

Shortages of food, and even more of drink; diffidence in offering hospitality when they feel they have little to offer; transport difficulties. It is also said that the men themselves do not seem eager to go to people they do not know, and often do not turn up when invited, or even answer invitations.

It has been suggested that there is a need for more clubs where Dominions men could get to know the local people, and that the matter is “important not only from the immediate point of view, but from the effect it may have on our relations with the Dominions in the future”.

(3, 21, 32)

15. Clothes Rationing

Men from the Rhondda Valley feel that boots and shoes should be coupon-free during the winter months - “illness will be severe owing to people being badly off for footwear and unable to provide coupons to secure same”.

Women in munition factories, are reported to be finding it more and more difficult to cope with the replacement of clothes that either wear out quickly by nature of their work, or become saturated with oil. “Shoes are a particular source of worry to them”.

Electricians and fitters employed at collieries are classed as surface workers; although some of them, in fact, do work underground: they are disgruntled because they cannot claim the extra clothing coupons available for underground workers.

(1, 8, 9)

15. Constant Topics and Complaints

Women workers are still worried by the difficulties of shopping ; these include getting shoes repaired, laundry taken and collected, hairdressing, etc. Working hours often more than cover the times during which shops are open. Petrol restrictions, by curtailing laundry and retail trade deliveries, are adding to the problem.

There are many complaints of the inadequacy and irregularity of bus services ; “unnecessary irritation is caused by bus conductors not calling out the stopping places after dark”. Castleford miners complain of having to stand for considerable periods in queues while buses marked ‘Private’ pass by. In addition there is much annoyance that private cars fail to offer lifts.

The new scheme for dependants' allowances is still “bitterly criticised” as “reminiscent of the Means Test”. The adoption of a flat-rate increase is thought to be “the only just method of dealing with this problem”. At present, hire-purchase commitments are said to help in obtaining allowances, while the “provident person who pays on the nail is penalised”.

The handling of salvage in general continues to be a subject of comment. Critical reference is made to the requisitioning of iron railings and to the non-collection of scrap. The public is very sensitive to waste of paper by Government departments . The proposed issue of “millions of pamphlets to emphasise fuel economy” has been unfavourably received as a “wicked waste of paper”. The Dig for Victory campaign is also said to involve “great waste of paper”. The new paper control measures are warmly welcomed.

It is thought, particularly in coastal districts, that headlamps - and even torches - betray the position of roads and other objectives to enemy bombers.

From rural areas come complaints of shortage of paraffin ; and also of delays in cross-country mails .

The “injustice” of the new Bread Order (in particular, the “ high price of flour for home baking ”), “unfair” allocation of oranges , and bad (Canadian) eggs are causing adverse comment. There are “a number of reports” that people are not getting their ration of two eggs per month.

There are complaints of the number of dud torch batteries on sale.

The match shortage “continues acute”. Other shortages are of: cigarette lighters and flints, fire-lighters and kindling wood, offal, tobacco and cigarettes, wireless batteries, typewriters, perambulators, and cheap crockery and glass.

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

396

REFERENCES