A History of the Ministry of Information, 1939-46

111

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Weekly Report by Home Intelligence - No. 35
Copy No. 32

(From Wednesday, May 28th, to Wednesday, June 4th, 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.

112 115 4 117 6 118 7 119 8

HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT .
No. 35 - May 26th to June 4th, 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 .

In the absence of severe raids, public attention has been largely concentrated on the Mediterranean. As the week went by the likelihood of a withdrawal from Crete was taken more and more for granted. By the time the news of evacuation came, it had been so clearly foreseen that there was little shock, - rather a rapidly engendered wave of anger and disappointment. General feeling about the progress of the war is possibly more pessimistic this week than at any period since the fall of France. The cheering events - the sinking of the Bismarck and the Mr. Roosevelt's speech - took place early in the week and were more than written off by the growing anxiety. There appears to be a “growing sense of inferiority” in the face of repeated withdrawals, due, it is thought, to German thoroughness, efficiency, and speed.

In its almost unanimous outburst of criticism, the press seems not to have led public opinion but to have followed it. The evacuation of Greece had been accepted as inevitable; but there is strong feeling that the loss of Crete could have been avoided; once again “our men's heroism” is thought to have been thrown away by lack of equipment, and unjustifiably inadequate preparation.

There is great anxiety about our losses. The German casualty figures are not widely believed, but their statement that eleven British warships have been sunk seems to have had some effect, and it is felt that “half the tale has not yet been told.”

Three points are outstanding in public criticism of the Battle of Crete:-

1. There are stated to be signs of a “growing distrust of the high direction of our strategy on land and air”. (There is nothing but praise for the work of the Navy in evacuating the troops from the island). More critical people are asking: “Who is doing the thinking in this war?”. For the first time there is some criticism of General Wavell. He is said to be learning that “it is one thing to chivvy the Italians, and another to fight the Germans”.

2. There is a large volume of dissatisfied comment on the lack of air-support for our troops. “If the Hun could make air-bases in Greece in a month, why couldn't we in Crete in six?” And: “to actually leave our air-bases for the Jerries to land their planes”. People are asking if our air strength has really increased as much as we had hoped - and been led to believe.

3. To many the gravest aspect of the battle is the success of what has been widely accepted as a dress rehearsal for invasion here. B.B.C. and newspaper efforts to stress the different conditions which would operate against the enemy in Britain have apparently failed to dispute the anxiety about what paratroops can accomplish as invaders of an island. Indeed, one effect of the episode has been to reawaken discussion of the invasion of Britain. (The invasion pamphlet, incidentally, has met with general approval).

Other points which are stressed are: the fear that Cyprus will soon share the fate of Crete; that enemy paratroops in British uniforms should be shot when captured; and that more prominence should have been given to the British units in Crete. There has been little criticism of the way the news from Crete has been treated, apart from delays in announcing details of Naval losses, and R.A.F. claims to have “successfully bombed aerodromes" in Crete without apparently preventing a continuing influx of German troops-carriers. The use of the phrase “adjusting our positions” as a synonym for “withdrawal” is also remarked on.

Growing antagonism to Vichy is still reported from many districts. There are expressions of impatience that we do not invade Syria, but are “waiting for the enemy to get ahead of us again”. This is considered all the more urgent since the fall of Crete, and also because of the belief that “it won't be long before we are at war with France”. Now that Vichy is “coming out into the open in support of Hitler”, it is considered obvious that the French Government must know that an Allied victory would mean their complete obliteration”.

The shock of the loss of the Hood soon passed in relief at the sinking of the Bismarck, and the swift release of the news by the Admiralty was appreciated. Among the majority of people the reaction was one of pleasure at a “fine story of revenge”, but the more critical were relieved on hearing at last that we had done something at sea - where we are supposed to be supremely competent - in a supremely competent manner.

Mr. Roosevelt's speech was eagerly awaited, and on the whole has given all the satisfaction that was expected, although a small section of the public hoped for more - even including a declaration of war. The feeling of “It's all talk with the Americans” seems to be slowly dying, and the R.I.O. South Western Region, reports: “Previously many people regarded America as something to be seen on the films. Now they are seeing a different sort of America, and it is one which they admire”. It is suggested that the fact that full American help cannot arrive for at least six months, is one cheerful consolation for the coming autumn, (to which tired workers are already looking ahead with some dismay, as the herald of a tough winter).

(1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 20 Manchester, Bristol, Inverness P.Cs. 34).

2. Some long-term trends .

The following results of surveys by the British Institute of Public Opinion have been received. They were carried out on samples of 2,200 people, just over a month ago (April 24th, 1941):

(a) “Do you think that the new Budget spreads the cost of the war fairly?”

Yes No Don't know
Total: 57% 24% 19%
Men: 60% 29% 11%
Women: 56% 19% 25%
Economic Groups:
Higher: 66% 23% 11%
Middle: 65% 24% 11%
Lower: 55% 24% 21%

It will be seen that the degree of concrete opposition remains remarkably constant in all groups, and that the highest degree of ignorance or uncertainty is among women, and the lower income groups (a usual finding on more or less abstract questions).

(b) On the subject of compulsory saving, the figures are similar, but with a higher degree of general approval.

“The new Budget will increase income tax, and return some of the money after the war. Do you approve or disapprove of this idea?”

Approve Disapprove Don't know
Total: 72% 16% 12%
Men: 74% 18% 8%
Women: 71% 14% 15%
Economic Groups:
Higher: 80% 14% 6%
Middle: 72% 18% 10%
Lower: 72% 15% 13%

(c) “Do you approve or disapprove of women being compelled to do war work?”

Approve Disapprove Don't know
Total: 72% 23% 5%
Men: 72% 23% 5%
Women 72% 23% 5%

The percentages remained remarkably constant for all groups. The reasons given for disapproval were:-

Woman's place is the home;

Women are not suited to war work;

It isn't necessary if industry is organised properly;

Compulsion is wrong.

(d) On the subject of reprisals, and feeling about the German people, the following results bear out the trend of opinion recorded in the Home Intelligence reports. (These questions were asked shortly before the Kings Norton bye-election took place.)

“Would you approve or disapprove if the R.A.F. adopted a policy of bombing the civilian population of Germany?”.

Approve Disapprove Don't know
Total 55% 37% 9%
Men: 56% 37% 7%
Women: 53% 36% 11%

In other groups, similar figures were obtained. The most popular reason for approving was: “Let the Germans have a taste of it”. Next came the view that it would end the war quickly and break German morale. The main reasons for disapproval were futility, a descent to Hitler's level, and a belief that reprisals were a waste of bombs.

It is pointed out that, at the moment, social pressure (in the form of the press, the cinema news reels, and the National Savings Campaign) favours an approval of reprisals.

A more subtle test of public feeling is the following question:

“Which of the following statements expresses most nearly your personal opinion of Germany and the German people?”

The Germans are an evil and wicked nation; I hate them all. Some Germans are not bad, but as a nation Germany is a danger to the world. Only the German leaders are evil
Total: 18% 52% 30%
Men: 15% 57% 28%
Women: 20% 49% 31%
Economic Groups:
Higher: 9% 74% 17%
Middle: 14% 58% 28%
Lower: 20% 49% 31%

Both extremes of opinion are most marked in the lower income groups, and least marked in the upper income groups. Many persons interviewed regarded the number of categories offered as inadequate.

3. Air Raids .

The recent lull in raids has been taken by many to mean that the Luftwaffe was fully engaged in the Middle East; and it was suggested that if our bombers could not save our own troops in Crete it was an opportune moment for them to “pour destruction on the Germany's industrial plants and military concentrations”.

Slow recovery from the stunning effect of previous blitzes has been reported from most of the hard-hit towns. But there is also considerable concern that better advantage has not been taken of the respite, to press forward with A.R.P improvements. Local authorities are still sometimes accused of treating each attack as an isolated disaster, and apparently believing that once a town has been devastated at it is less likely to be raided again.

Nervousness in areas which are relatively immune from raids is causing some fatigue and “agricultural inefficiency”, because of the habit of sitting up through night alerts, whether a local attack is developing or not. (In Enniskillen, 90 miles from Belfast, there is a regular nightly trek into the surrounding country, although the place has not been bombed at all. It is suggested that broadcasts intended for towns, streaming the importance of shelters and the advantages of ground-floors, etc., have been taken too literally in rural districts.

(1, 7, 13, 18, 34)

4. Rumour

There are few new rumours this week. An allegation that “Peace at any Price” was chalked on walls in Liverpool is still current; but a counter-rumour now adds that the instigators have been discovered and interned. There are stories in both Cardiff and Swansea of plans to make these places “great naval ports”. The fact that evacuation of school-children has been proceeding in both has given colour to the rumours, and there is consequent alarm among some of the inhabitants lest developments should lead to further air attack.

(8, 20 Manchester P.C.)

5. Conscription in Northern Ireland .

The decision not to enforce conscription in Ulster has been received with mixed feelings, vehement on both sides. The balance of opinion is considerably in favour of the Government's action in dropping the scheme, even among those who would have liked to see conscription applied if it could have been done “without bringing a hornet's nest about our ears”. There is, however, some feeling that if the Government was prepared to give way to Mr. de Valera and the Catholics, their views might have been discovered before any question of conscription was raised, in order to avoid what has been described as “this public exhibition of weakness”.

(13, 20 Bristol P.C.)

II SPECIAL COMMENTS

6. Clothes Rationing Scheme

Only preliminary reports have been received so far on the public's reactions to the Clothes Rationing Scheme, which has aroused intense interest. There is “smug satisfaction” on the part of those who have had enough money and foresight to lay in a good supply already, but in poorer families there is a feeling of slight dismay, though this has been to some extent lessened by a realisation that equality of distribution is the real object of the scheme.

On the whole, the scheme appears to have been favourably received, and to be regarded as “sensible and businesslike”; people are willing to put up with it as being an essential part of the war effort. There is, however, a feeling that the advantage will tend to lie with those who can afford to buy a garment of good quality which requires the same number of coupons as a cheap article, but which will last twice as long. It is feared that women's stockings will provide the greatest difficulty, as their life is so short in relation to the number of coupons they take. Many people are asking what is going to be done about knitting wool for Service comforts, and the proposal to use the W.V.S. as a distributing agent has caused strong feeling among rival knitting groups.

Three practical problems which have already emerged are as follows:-

  1. Members of the forces who are discharged after many years of service have no civilian clothes whatever. For a moderately complete outfit, 161 coupons are needed. Soldiers are already seeking help on this point at Citizens' Advice Bureaux.

  2. Foster parents of evacuated children often cannot buy childrens' clothing in the country. Yet if they send the ration books to the parents in the towns, postal and other delays may prevent their getting the children's food rations.

  3. Parents of children, evacuated to America are, at present, allowed to send up to £10 worth of clothing out of the country. Since these children have no ration books, the parents are asking about the position, and whether any special arrangements are going to be made.

(2, 6, 12, 14 Cambridge, 34).

7. Food .

The food situation shows little change. Prices and distribution, rather than actual shortages, are still matters of general complaint; in some parts there is a growth of feeling against the Ministry of Food. Appeals to Local Food Committees are thought to carry the “risk of being penalised by the tradesmen” while the Ministry of Food “takes no notice of the representations of the Local Food Committees”. There is considerable feeling that the Ministry does little to help the mothers of young children, who are too busy to stand in queues to get eggs and other necessities. The reservation of oranges for invalids and young children is held to be the only fair method of distribution. A larger jam ration for families with small children is still much in demand, and it has also been suggested that a special sweet should be packed and sold only for children, on whom the shortage is particularly hard.

The prices of vegetables and fish still cause many complaints; there is some disappointment that these are not to be controlled, since it is considered that “the rationing and controlling of perishable food stuffs is the only fair solution”. At the same time, the feeling persists that when prices are fixed, the articles disappear and that “the maximum price at once becomes the minimum price”.

Extra rations for heavy workers are continually asked for. Particular difficulty is still being experienced in providing “packed lunches” - a constant source of anxiety to the wives. The shortage of eggs in urban districts still causes some bitterness, since they are reported to be quite plentiful in the country; and people are said to be hoarding them when they can get them.

There are reports of queues from many parts of the country; apart from inconvenience, they cause considerable waste of time and contribute to absenteeism. There are also more comments on the difficulties of housewives and war-workers in contending with evacuees when it comes to shopping for scarce goods, since the latter have leisure to “corner supplies”.

There are still many vigorous protests about the Ministry of Food's jam-making scheme.

(5, 7, 8, 10, 14 Scotland, 17, 20 Inverness, Manchester, Special P.C.s)

Evacuation

Two factors which may cause difficulty in the event of further large-scale evacuation are reported:-

1. Holiday letting . In some areas local people are said to be turning out evacuees because they cannot pay the high prices usually charged for accommodation in the holiday season; it is said that “anyone with a big house and more room than they need is willing to let rooms cheap, rather than have evacuees”. There are still reports of excessive charges being made to evacuees.

2. The billeting of war workers . There are indications of great alacrity to provide billets for war workers, as their billeting allowance is said to be higher than that of evacuees. The raising of evacuees' billeting allowances is suggested, but there appears to be a tendency for the rents to increase with the allowances.

(2, 4, 7, 20 Glasgow, Bristol P.C.'s)

9. High Wages for Juveniles

Social workers are disturbed about the high wages given to boys who are replacing men. Where labour is short they can often command far higher wages than those paid to skilled adults before the war. Saving is naturally unattractive to them, and it is felt that a glut of money in a dead-end job will leave them permanently unfitted for normal conditions of work.

10. Trade .

Tobacco : There is only one report of any improvement in tobacco supplies, and several complaints that the position has deteriorated. This is particularly resented since the Tobacco Controller's broadcast, which was regarded as a promise of better supplies.

Coal : Complaints of coal shortages come from “almost every part of the Midland region”, from the Southern region and from elsewhere, and there is said to be a prospect of a great shortage of coal in Bradford next winter. The lack of coal is still said to be accounting for a shortage of beer at Reading.

(2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18).

11. Fire-watching

Dissatisfaction about fire-watching continues. There is still unwillingness to undertake fire-watching duties; and there are reports of shirkers and of shortages of equipment. Compulsory registration of all men between 16 and 60 is advocated as the only reasonable solution. There are still many complaints about houses being left unguarded by people who leave the badly raided towns every night.

(4, 5x, 20 Manchester P.C.)

12. Horse racing .

A special report from the R.I.O. Cambridge on public reactions to racing at Newmarket makes the following points:-

1. Of 876 private cars and 28 charbancs in the car-park on the second day of the May meeting, the majority had come from considerable distances (e.g. London and the Midlands).

2. The type of person predominating was described as “the worst variety of well-to-do race-goer”. Although members of the Services were admitted at half price, very few were seen. The number of working men enjoying an afternoon's relaxation was negligible.

3. The number of race-course staff, including jockeys, stewards, gate-men, car attendants, totalisator operators, and groundsmen, as well as Police Officers and bookies, appeared to be very high indeed.

4. Oranges were on sale from a van, without restriction as to numbers purchased, and above the maximum prices. Quantities of sumptuous foods were on sale at the buffet and snack bar at exobitant prices.

5. It was suggested that the meeting attracted the kind of crowd likely to cause public resentment, and that it represented a serious wastage of food, manpower, and petrol.

Indignation at the wastage of petrol by visitors to sporting events is reported from other sources.

(2, 14 Cambridge, 34).

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