A History of the Ministry of Information, 1939-46

135

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Weekly Report by Home Intelligence - No. 33
Copy No. 31

(From Wednesday, May 14th to Wednesday, May 21st, 1941)

In reading this report, it is important to bear in mind that it does not set out to record facts , except in so far as public opinion is itself a fact. It is a record and reflection of the public's views and feelings about the war in general. Therefore, on 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.

136 1 138 3 140 5 141 6 142 7

HOME INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY REPORT .
No. 33 - May 14th to May 21st, 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

Attention is drawn to a special review of some of the factors of industrial absenteeism with special reference to those possibly remediable by propaganda (see subsection 10 of this report).

1. General state of confidence and reaction to news .

The main features of the reaction of the public to the week's news have been:-

1. A growing anti-French feeling, coupled with a fear that our slowness to take action in Syria is due as much to lack of equipment as to excess of scruples.

2. A strong belief that Hess is being treated with excessive kindness.

3. An increasing demand for reprisals, possibly associated with the relative freedom of the country from night raids. (It has often been noted previously that the demand for reprisals decreases during and immediately after severe raids, and vice versa).

4. Many reports of increased listening to the German radio, attributed to our own delays in announcing war news.

On the subject of the Near East, and especially on the attitude of France, there is considerable anxiety. The question is frequently asked: “Why do we not invade Syria, before the Germans have established themselves there, especially as we are told that we have an army of half a million men under General Wavell?” The old cry: “Britain is always behind”, silenced for once over Iraq, is now being heard over Syria. Many people are reported to be saying: “We are always too late in taking action, too poor in numbers and material, and have too much respect for convention”. Great uneasiness is also expressed about our position in Palestine.

It seems to be generally felt that we should “drop our kid-glove attitude to the Vichy Government and substitute something much more active”. Indeed, the most remarkable single manifestation of public feeling this week has been the outburst of anger against France, and the dissatisfaction with our “apparent tenderness” towards the Vichy Government. It is felt that our very existence is now endangered by “sticking to a punctilio which other people are not sticking to”. The suspicion is expressed in one quarter that the Free French Forces do not seem to be very popular in their own colonies.

The tendency, recorded last week, to “write off” Turkey as a potential ally, continues.

About Iraq, there is still uncertainty, the general impression being that we have control of the country only at local points; there appears to be considerable confusion in the mind of the public as to the importance or otherwise of the Iraq pipe-line. In one newspaper, it was described as “a main source of the fleet's fuel supply”, while on other occasions the cutting of the pipe-line has been presented as a matter for no great anxiety. In this, as in other connections, it has been suggested that anxiety is synonymous with uncertainty, and that the public would rather know the truth, however disagreeable.

A legend of German “invincibility on land”, referred to some weeks ago, is once more slowly forming in the minds of some people, and is becoming something of a superstition; it is expressed by remarks of this kind: “Don't think we'll ever get the better of Jerry, certainly not on land; their equipment's so efficient”. Such a feeling is, however, limited, and is entirely confined to land operations.

It is now possible to describe in greater detail the public's reaction to the arrival of Hess. Incredulity soon turned to jubilation. No theory has been too fantastic to put forward, from the idea that he was in love with Unity Mitford and had flown here to see her, to the fear that he had come to assassinate the Prime Minister. There are very few exceptions to the view that Hess is being treated too kindly. He is regarded as personally responsible for “some of the most repulsive features of Nazi brutality”, and the theory that he is an incorruptible idealist does as little to make him attractive in English eyes, as the Daily Mirror's description of his polished toe-nails. “Press reports of Hess enjoying a light diet of fish, chicken and eggs have caused widespread disgust and indignation, especially in view of the difficulty experienced by housewives in obtaining these kinds of food”. This is general, as it is mentioned by a number of Regional Information Officers.

It was felt from the first that Hess was the “answer to the propagandist's prayer”. Now, several days later, the view is being expressed that the news might have been handled with greater effect.

No criticism of the Duke of Hamilton has been received.

Some connection has arisen in people's minds between the arrival of Hess, and the postponement of President Roosevelt's speech. This speech is awaited with intense interest. Speculation is divided; some fear that the delay means postponement of American convoys and the possible entry of America into the war, while others hope that, when the President's speech does come, it will be a declaration of war against the Axis Powers. The speeches of American politicians are read with a certain amount of impatience, and some people are saying that “the Americans are a long time about it. Its all Big Talk with them”.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5x, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 34).

2. Broadcasting .

The public's reaction to broadcast news is still characterised by a “distrust of news bulletins and of the official communiqués as a source of full and reliable news”. Many people continue to complain of the “repetition of unimportant items, the reiteration of individual aerial combats and the repetitive, boring phraseology of communiqués”. But it is the lack of news, and the suspected mitigation of bad tidings which seem to dissatisfy people most. “We want the news, even if it is bad”. “There must be many like myself cursing this country for the want of news. We could bear anything; only not to know is undermining our courage”.

Once more from a number of sources come reports of an increase in listening to enemy broadcasts, and a growing tendency to believe them. Of 22 Police Duty Room Reports from Chief Constables, 6 mention continued listening to German broadcasts, and Regional Information Officers make similar observations. “Nothing but a prompter, more comprehensive explanation of what has happened, will reduce the amount of listening to German broadcasts, which has undoubtedly increased during the past month”.

(2, 5x, 6, 10, 20, 22).

3. Reprisals

The demand for reprisals is steadily increasing. It now comes equallylly from “bombed” and “unbombed” areas, (whereas previously the bombed have always been the more vocal).

There is also a demand for the publication of photographs showing the effects of our bombing on German cities; “nothing is said to give greater satisfaction”. But a certain discretion is evidently desirable in the description of our exploits. A recent statement on the wireless about the creation of a “ beautiful ” bomb has been received by many people with repugnance, as it is felt that “no bomb which destroys homes and families can be described as beautiful, though this does not lesson the desire for us to bomb Berlin and Rome”.

(3, 5, 9, 20, 21).

4. Rumours

If a mass of phantasies about Hess is excluded, the week's rumours are mostly concerned with the Merseyside raids. It is alleged that there was to be a scheme of compulsory evacuation; that there had been 15,000 deaths, rioting, martial law, and also a heavy daylight raid; but most persistent of all, that there had been petitions for “peace at any price”, and processions with peace banners and “Stop the War” posters. These were all without any foundation.

Connected with the subject of rumour is the recurrent fear that if a certain place is singled out for praise in a speech or visited by royalty or a distinguished statesman, - or merely visited by Hess -, it will then be badly blitzed by the enemy. Reports of this anxiety come from Belfast, whose dockyards were visited by Mr. Menzies; from Norwich, which was visited by the Duke of Kent; and from Glasgow.

(1, 2, 4, 10, 11, 20).

II SPECIAL COMMENTS

5. Special Raid Problems .

War Damage Act : There has been a sudden awakening of interest in this subject. Concern is felt over the widespread ignorance of the provisions of the Act, and over the apparent shortage of forms. This shortage applies not only to the public, but to the Insurance Agencies as well. Companies drawing no commission from this type of insurance often seem unwilling to co-operate. In view of the shortness of the time left for registering for extra compensation, there are suggestions that press publicity should be intensified, and that more forms should be issued at once with the simplest possible instructions attached.

Fire Fighting

It is widely believed that there has been a falling off in voluntary fire-watching, and in many urban areas there is a growing demand for compulsion. This is desired not only as a safety-measure, but also that public-spirited people do not feel, as at present, that others are sheltering unfairly behind their willingness. The announcement that fire-brigades are to come under Government control has been welcomed, but it is felt that fire-watchers should be taken over in the same way. Already some are reported as saying “The only people who get a decent night's sleep are soldiers, all in bed by 10. p.m.” In places where military help in civil defence has been available, for example Belfast and Avonmouth, it has been very greatly appreciated, and the rumour that the Military assistance at Avonmouth was to be withdrawn caused much dismay. The Battle of the Ports, it was said, was a soldiers' battle, as well as a people's battle.

(3, 7, 10, 12, 17, 18, 33).

6. Evacuation

The problem of evacuation from Merseyside, where the neighbouring reception areas are already overcrowded, is complicated by the insistence of the dockers that their families, though out of the target area, must be within nightly reach. The idea of camps just beyond the range of the city is under discussion. (A special report from the R.I.O., Bristol, says that a single camp there has already enough applicants to fill it for two years; and suggestions are reported that more camps of this kind in all the congested areas would meet a real demand). A scheme for dockers' hostels, in the town where they work, has not met with their approval. A similar suggestion, that their families should be moved and the dockers themselves be left to sleep in deep shelters has been criticised because of the opposition of the men, and because few suitable shelters have sanitation and washing facilities.

Billeting steps taken in the Liverpool area include schedules of all vacant rooms, empty houses and other available accommodation, such as buildings taken over by the military and now relinquished. But there is still great reluctance on the part of mothers to let their children go if they cannot accompany them, and evacuation in this area is said not to be progressing as fast as it should.

The approach of the holiday season has given rise to many complaints that landladies in the ‘safe’ areas, such as rural Wales and the Lake District, are turning away evacuees to make room for holiday-makers. There is increasing support for the view that the taking over of large country houses for evacuees is the only solution to the problem of bitter personal hostilities between hosts and evacuees, town and country populations, etc.

(7, 10, 20 Manchester P.C.)

7. Food .

The desire is still expressed that rationing - or at any rate registration - should be extended to cover all scarce commodities. It is felt that registration would at least prevent people who can afford to lay in a stock of household goods from going from shop to shop, buying up whatever is becoming scarce.

Fear is expressed that price-control without rationing is worse than useless, unless both wholesale and retail trades are better organised, if possible under centralised rather than local control. At present it is thought that price-control merely tends to drive goods off the market altogether.

There are still many complaints about the milkless day, and of the fact that food distribution plans do not take sufficiently into account the movement of populations, due to evacuation. (Incidentally this leads to much ill-feeling against evacuees in the reception areas - “They come like locusts and eat up everything”.)

(1, 3, 4, 20 Manchester, Reading, Leeds P.C's.)

8. Registration of Women

One of the greatest discouragements to women in registering for war work is still the number of stories of those already in munition factories, standing idle for want of adequate organisation. Women are also reluctant to give up lucrative jobs while rich people can still employ several domestic servants. Registration has brought home the inequalities of pay under which women suffer. Those who know they are taking men's places in industry or in civil defence tend to resent this differentiation. The lower compensation for air raid injury is much criticised; and dissatisfaction is felt over the question of married women's employment and income-tax - there are several cases reported in which, by taking a war-job, a wife actually finds herself out of pocket on account of increased income-tax and additional expenditure at home for domestic help. Many women's services are said to be lost to the country because of this, and suggestions are being made of adjustment in the assessment of income tax in such cases.

The scheme of taking on married women on a part-time basis has proved satisfactory in some factories where it has been tried as an experiment. The problem is to make suitable arrangements for the children. The idea of ‘child-minders’ has proved very unpopular, and day-nurseries attached to the factories are offered as a solution.

(5x, 6, 14 Bristol, 20 Reading P.C.)

9. Transport

The desire for a general tightening-up of regulations affecting private motorists is apparent in many comments received this week. There are strongly expressed demands that petrol should no longer be wasted on pleasure-trips. Car-parties to races and football matches have aroused particular indignation; and complaints from the Midlands and Wales suggest that motorists in the towns are using their fuel allowances to reach farms, market-gardens etc., outside, where they can buy, above the fixed prices, the commodities which are scarce in their neighbourhood.

Lights on vehicles at night are said to be far beyond the regulation strength in many districts. From Belfast there is a report that “the sound of sirens starts a stampede, and a stream of cars with bright head-lamps.”

(2, 3, 4, 6, 18, 20 Leeds, P.C., 22)

12. Absenteeism in Industry

In the following short review (compiled from many sources), an attempt is made to assess the factors causing absenteeism in industry, bearing in mind particularly these which might be remedied by propaganda. Other more material factors must be mentioned, if only to clarify the picture.

Absenteeism is always much greater among women than among men. In wartime, absenteeism among women tends to increase out of all proportion to the increase among men; the greatest increase is among married women, who would not normally be working in factories.

It must be remembered that, in times of stress, absenteeism is not always necessarily a bad thing. With increased overtime, and holidays greatly curtailed, it may act as a natural safety-valve for the hard-pressed individual; and one voluntary day off may save several days of involuntary sickness.

Unpunctuality and slowness in starting work are almost as important as absenteeism itself in causing loss of production.

A study of the causes of absenteeism shows that it is an evil which cannot readily be cured by increasingly severe discipline.

The main causes of absenteeism are:-.

1. Fatigue , due to

  1. Domestic duties and home conditions. (This has been found to be the most important single cause among women)

  2. Long hours of work.

  3. Travel difficulties.

  4. Sleepless nights through raids, or fear of raids, or through doing Civil Defence duties.

  5. Nutritional difficulties.

2. Illness . The second most important single cause among women.

3. Material necessities:-

  1. Time taken off to do shopping

  2. Time taken for coping with immediate post-raid problems - salvage of property etc.

4. The Income Tax situation .

5. Mental Factors:-

(a) “The sheep for a lamb” situation. A worker is late; she feels that “clocking in” will prove her to be at fault, - so she might just as well take the whole day off and be hung for a sheep as a lamb. This is the third most important single cause among women.

(b) Lack of incentive to work, due to:-

(1) Ability to “afford a day off now and then”, on account of high wages.

(2) Lack of a feeling of active participation in the war effort.

(3) Inability to enjoy the relative high wages, owing to the shortage of luxuries, the curtailment of entertainment, and the “lack of colour” in wartime provincial life.

(4) A feeling (often a misapprehension) that “the bosses are incompetent”.

(5) Lack of ambition, particularly among women and youths.

(6) A belief that the “Lease and Lend bill will do it all for us”.

(c) The prestige of married women. This tends to influence the behaviour of single girls, and as a result, the high absentee rate among married women may prove infectious.

Details of the main causes .

Domestic duties and home conditions : By the social etiquette of the manual worker class, from which most married women in factories are drawn, a man cannot help in the domestic work at home without being looked down on by his mates. This applies particularly to the North. Certain things a man may do to help his wife, such as lighting fires; but all cleaning and washing up (the bulk of the housework) must be done by the woman, either before or after she leaves the factory - even if the man is out of work and the woman is supporting the family. The same applies to shopping. Now that rationing and scarcity of various commodities have made shopping more complicated, it has been found that much absenteeism is due to time spent in buying food, and other household supplies. Absenteeism has been considerably reduced in factories which have added stocks of essentials to their canteens, so that the women may buy these in their lunch break. But there will always be husbands on leave, and children evacuated or at home for whom arrangements must be made.

Long hours of work : The Health of Munitions Workers Committee have recently found that a 12-hour day gives not only a lower hourly output than a 10-hour day but a lower gross output. They also found that a seven-day week gave less output than a six-day week. Evidence from all sources supports this observation.

Thus in one factory, at a time when high production was of the greatest importance, the employees were working 68 hours a week. These hours failed to maintain output, and it was decided to reduce the hours to 60 as an experiment. Not only did output per hour increase, but the total daily output increased by about 8%, and quality improved as well.

It was also found that women who worked 55 hours a week lost 13 more days in absenteeism per year than those working only a 48 hours week. The addition, twice a week, of two hours to an 8-hour day, reduced work to the slower tempo of a 10-hour day on every day of the week. Unfortunately, when hours are reduced the output does not usually rise immediately, but only over a long period of adaptation, which makes the conversion of old-fashioned managers to the reasonable shortening of hours particularly difficult. Similarly, longer hours do tend to produce more for the first few weeks; but after a period, output decreases rapidly.

The Income Tax situation : Reports from many sources have recently suggested that absenteeism is being caused by unwillingness to earn wages high enough to be liable to much taxation. This has apparently been occurring ever since the deduction of Tax from wages. On the other hand, it is also suggested that this is not a serious cause, because so many workers would feel hurt in their pride if they thought their friends knew their work had failed to reach Income Tax proportions.

Lack of feeling of participation in the war effort : There is a tendency for many workers to underrate their individual responsibility for output. Even in the blitzed areas, they have only a temporary feeling of being “in the war” as fighters. In the last war there was plenty of hustle and bustle at home, bright lights etc. This time there is considerable “dullness”, and to many life seems to “have no flavour”. They only partly realise that the Fighting Forces rely on them for munitions and that lack of effort is “letting the Forces down”. More contact and explanation between the Services and the munition workers might have a stimulating effect.

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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)
5x. Special London reports.
6. Southern Region (Reading)
7. South Western Region (Bristol)
8. Wales (Cardiff)
9. Midland (Birmingham)
10. North Western (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 Committees' reports.
17. Home Press Summaries, M.O.I.
18. Regional Press Summaries.
19. Hansard.
20. Postal Censorship.
21. Telephone Censorship.
22. Police Duty Room Reports.
23. Mass Observation.
24. War-Time Social Survey.
25. B.B.C. Listener Research Papers.
26. B.B.C. Special Papers.
27. Citizens' Advice Bureaux
28. W.V.S.
29. Scottish Unionist Whips' reports.
30. Liberal Party Reports.
31. Economic League's reports.
32. W.H. Smith's Questionnaires.
33. War Office Post Bag Summaries.
34. Primary Sources.

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