SECRET
POINTS OF PUBLIC CONCERN: No. 2, 7th MAY, 1941
1.
NEWS PRESENTATION
Dissatisfaction with the presentation of news is rapidly growing. The Government is accused of “not trusting the public”; the Service departments, and the Ministry of Information are severely criticised; there are also many complaints about the tone and triviality of B.B.C. news broadcasts. The press is, however, fairly free from blame.
2.
REPRISALS
Though the demand for reprisals, (i.e. the bombing of civilian centres as legitimate military targets) has recently been less in evidence, a large number of people still approve the idea, and a “Bomb Berlin” candidate is standing at the Kings Norton by-election.
3.
AIR RAIDS
Fire-fighting
: There has lately been some anxiety about fire-fighting arrangements. The Public, sometimes unaware of the technical difficulties, is apt to assume that certain preventative measures, which appear obvious, should be carried out, though, in fact, such measures may be impracticable.
Funerals
: The cost of burying air raid victims is a serious hardship to many poor people. As a certain amount of ostentation is thought to be essential, some people are running into debt to provide their relatives with what they consider “a decent burial”.
4.
REGISTRATION OF WOMEN
Confusion among women workers about what are to be regarded as essential industries is causing some of them to make “panic changes” in their employment. Workers, managements and welfare officers would all like to be given guidance on this point.
The fear of being sent far away from their homes is also troubling a good many girls. Others are afraid, as are their parents, that they may be sent to work in vulnerable areas.
Middle-aged and older women who want to get work in munition factories complain of difficulties in doing so. Some say that when applying for jobs they have been made to feel that their services are not wanted.
5.
NURSERIES
There is a considerable demand for more day nurseries. The shortage of them is said to be a hardship to women who would otherwise be ready and willing to do war work.
“Child minders” are not popular, and seem generally to be regarded with a good deal of suspicion.
There are many mothers of children under five, who want to go into industry, but will not do so unless their children are evacuated. Wives of men in the Forces who would like to feel that “they are doing their bit” are said to be particularly anxious that the present evacuation scheme shall be modified, so that they can take up war work.
6.
FOOD
The difficulties of shopping seem to be increasing. There is a good deal of grumbling about shortages, but queues are now faced more or less philosophically.
The high prices of fish and salad vegetables are causing many complaints. So, too, is the reduction of the milk ration, which is resented as being “unfair”.
Among housewives and small fruit growers the jam scheme is very strongly criticised.
7.
TOBACCO
The shortage of tobacco appears to be becoming more acute, particularly in the North and the Midlands. Many people seem to consider it no less serious than the food shortage, and there are continual complaints from all parts of the country.
