A History of the Ministry of Information, 1939-46
SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Weekly Report by Home Intelligence - No. 19
Copy No. 3
(From Wednesday 5th February, to Wednesday 12th February, 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 no fluctuation in public feeling, which the news from Lybia, East Africa and Greece sustains at a fairly high level of complacency. Though a good deal of superficial speculation is reported about developments in France, reference to affairs in the Balkans is confined to a very few sources.
The probability of invasion is being discussed more widely - and with greater confidence - than ever; anticipation that it may occur in Britain and Eire simultaneously seems to be growing. There are many who think that if it comes it will be “the turning point in the war”; there is not so much as a hint of the possibility of its success, nor is there any evidence of serious apprehension about what might be expected to happen. But partly owing to alarms and excursions in the press and partly, it is said, because of the Prime Minister's and Sir John Dill's recent speeches, there has been a wider awakening to the fact that very few people know what they should be prepared to do. There have been many requests for “more specific and up-to-date instructions about the duties of civilians”. In particular, the order to “stay put” needs to be made clearer. Individual interpretations of the phrase show that in one district “people plan to return home if they are away”: in another “to move to a safer area”: and that elsewhere they are “building up reserves of petrol to bolt if the enemy lands”.
“The need for more education about gas” is also emphasised in several reports, some of which indicate a developing undercurrent of anxiety on this subject. The confidential warning against encouraging its discussion is said to be a deterrent to giving advice to those who want it.
The diminution of night bombing still induces an uneasy relief and also a good deal of speculation. Among hypotheses to account for its present decline are that preparations are in hand for:-
Intensified air war in the Mediterranean.
Seizure of the French Navy and Mediterranean ports.
Occupation of Bizerta
Assult on Bulgaria.
(2, 5x, 6, 8, 11, 10, 12, 13, 9, 19, 18, 20 Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Leeds, Inverness, Belfast P.C. 23.)
2. Broadcasting
The Prime Minister's speech was extremely well received. His confidence in the future was particularly appreciated, and his reference to 1942 is said to have “placed the situation in the right perspective”. Though parts of the speech were said “to have made some peoples flesh creep”, listeners were also “relieved to feel that they were really hearing the truth”. The reference to America was considered extremely opportune, but the warning to Bulgaria “aroused little comment”. There were many references to the cheerfulness of his delivery which “increased the feeling of intimacy with his audience”.
Priestley's postscripts continue to cause a good deal of inconclusive argument. B.B.C. listener' research shows that 80% of those who listen to the Sunday news at 9 o'clock listen also to his postscript; whereas there is usually an audience of only 65% for those of other speakers.
Four out of five Chief Constables' reports mentioning his talks say they are “much appreciated”; the fifth “fears his comments may lead to disunity”. (3, 4, 6, 10, 12, 13, 17, 22, 34, 21 Cardiff, Reading P.C. 22, 23, 34.
3. Reprisals
There has been a slight decrease in the demand for reprisals. Postal Censorship is, as usual, the chief source of this vindictiveness, which seems to find a free if more premeditated expression in letters than in conversation. (8, 10, 17, 20 Cardiff Leeds, Manchester, Inverness P.C.).
4. Rumours .
Fewer rumours have been reported this week. Haw Haw's stock remains low. Stories of attempted invasion have come from various parts of the country. Some specifically mention Cornwall as the place where it is supposed to have occurred.
Other rumours are of foot and mouth disease having been spread by enemy aeroplanes, and of Ribbentrop's death. Stories of foul play have lately been circulating in connection with the death of several well-known people. (5x, 20 Cardiff, Manchester, Reading, Belfast, P.C.).
5. Eire
The British public's interest in Eire is confined mostly to expressions of contempt for, and impatience with, the policy of Mr. de Valera's Government. Though people in Eire are complaining strongly about their difficulties, in England there is very little sympathy for their afflictions, nor any understanding of what causes them.
Southern Irish living in this country are becoming more and more favourably disposed towards our cause. Though not indifferent to Eire's situation, many of its subjects when writing home are loud in their praises of England, and urge their friends to join us in the war.
In Eire itself there is little change. The possibility of invasion is dreaded, and there is no such boldness or confidence as is felt in this country. Yet “despite the feverish uncertainty about their own future”, there is said to be “a profound faith in the victory of Britain” (8, 12, 20 Cambridge, Edinburgh, Leeds, Reading, Wales, P.C., 21 Belfast T.C.).
II. SPECIAL COMMENTS
6. Air Raids .
Reports show that some recently blitzed cities are returning to a more normal way of life, and that the public is beginning to patronise cinemas and other places of entertainment again.
Fire-watching organisation and arrangements continue to be an important pre-occupation and are stated to be progressing satisfactorily on the whole, although there are still requests for more specific directions. Unwillingness of employees to guard employers' premises is one of the chief difficulties. There are reports also of the growing tiredness of workers who are forced by circumstances to undertake more than one night's watching a week.
The nightly trek out of recently bombed cities is causing confusion and dislocation of local services. A statement of policy on the part of the authorities is asked for.
Moving furniture from bombed and vulnerable areas is reported to be a problem which seriously affects people's morale. (2, 4, 5x, 6, 10, 13, 19 Eastern, 27, 33, Manchester T.C.).
7. Shelters .
A steady improvement continues.
Progress is also reported in sanitation, ventilation, medical provision and comfort.
In the other Regions the position is reported to be far less satisfactory. “Strong feeling” is stated to exist in certain heavily bombed areas on the question of surface shelters. “Though few of them have been badly damaged these have affected people adversely”.
The condition of school shelters is reported to be a constantly recurring point of controversy outside London (4, 5x, 18, 19 Eastern 34).
8. Food
Food problems are a growing responsibility for housewives and a major source of comment. The situation is still not unhealthy and people are prepared to accept shortages philosophically on the whole, but it is stated that “morale is seriously menaced by discrepancies between Government statements about the food situation and actual facts.”
There is a growing feeling that the protein content is insufficient for heavy workers and for children, and that the prices of controlled foods are too high.
Food queues are reported from several places; e.g. St. Helens, Peterborough, Southampton and Coventry.
Complaints of specific shortages come chiefly from reception areas and are still stated to be increasing the hostility of residents towards evacuees.
Lord Woolton is reported to be losing some of his popularity, and he is especially criticised for bad distribution. “When people cannot get their promised 1/2d worth of meat they are either angry or start wondering what is going wrong”.
Complaints of restaurant meals which contain meat, and other protein, obtainable without coupons are still reported.
Foods which arouse most controversy when they are short, apart from meat, are shown to be cheese, rabbits, eggs, marmalade, biscuits, cereals, cooking fats, tinned meat, fresh fruit and sweets.
Rabbits are reported to be a major food topic of speculation. People are asking why have they disappeared from the market as soon as their price was controlled? Why are they being gassed in country districts when we cannot get enough substitutes for meat? (2, 5x, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 Southern, 24, 32, 33, 34, Birmingham Belfast, Cambridge, Portsmouth P.C.).
9. Industry .
Billeting workers drafted to new districts has proved difficult and is stated to be one reason why there is not sufficient mobility in labour. Food difficulties are another reason. It is often impossible for workers drafted to industrial districts to get even enough of rationed foods, if these are wanted in a hurry. (5x, 12, 18, 19, 27, 34).
10. Agriculture
Farming prices are reported to be the subject of discussion in agricultural circles and the Ministry of Food is criticised for not seeing that the Prices Order is carried out. Farmers are alarmed at the recent Ploughing Orders, which are stated to upset the natural economy of some districts, and fear the loss of skilled workers and the threatened extension of daylight saving in the summer. Rationing of chicken food is also arousing complaints. It is suggested that more publicity is needed to explain the background of these misunderstandings and complaints. (4, 8, 18, 19).
11. Civilians and the Army .
Many complaints of bad driving, especially of lorries, on the part of the Army are reported.
Complaints are still received about the lavishness of Army rations and waste in camps.
Some resentment is reported at the penalisation of soldiers' dependents when the latter have committed breaches of military discipline. Non-payment of ration allowances to men on sick leave until return to duty causes inconvenience and distress in their homes (6, 18, 27, 34).
12. Pensions and Allowances .
Serious complaints are reported at the administration of Supplementary Old Age Pensions. There is often a delay of as much as two months in getting them through.
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