A History of the Ministry of Information, 1939-46

876

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
HOME INTELLIGENCE DIVISION WEEKLY REPORT
Copy No. 235

1. 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 an impartial assessment of the public's views and feelings about the war in general. It does not, therefore, imply any endorsement of comments which show the public to be ill-informed, prejudiced or inconsistent.

2. It is important to remember also that the public, as a rule, is more prone to express criticism than praise. Good work or efficiency is usually taken for granted. An accurate picture will, therefore, tend to be critical rather than laudatory. When a subject is not mentioned in this report, its absence indicates that it is not a matter of widespread criticism.

3. In assessing the state of public feeling there are no absolutes. Findings can only be comparative. Each individual issue of this report must, therefore, be read as part of a continuous series. Unless the series is seen as a whole, the significance of fluctuations in feeling cannot be appreciated.

4. The figures in brackets at the end of each section refer to sources of information, a list of which is given on the next page. The Weekly Reports from Regional Information Officers (R.I.Os.) are compiled by the Regional Intelligence Officer from a large number of sources. Details of the methods adopted in compilation and cross-checking are contained in a paper on “How the Home Intelligence Weekly Report is made”. This will be supplied on request to the Home Intelligence Division of the Ministry of Information.

878 881 4 885 8 888 11

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
HOME INTELLIGENCE DIVISION WEEKLY REPORT No. 92
SECRET

9th July, 1942

(Covering the period from 30th June to 7th July, 1942)

I. GENERAL COMMENTS.

1. General state of confidence and reaction to news

The depression following our defeat in Libya and Egypt shows some signs of lifting as a result of the check to Rommel's forces at El Alamein. This improvement in public spirits - reported from eleven Regions - ranges from “being afraid to hope” to “a considerable measure of confidence”, but it is coupled with uneasiness or anxiety which is attributed to:

  1. A feeling that “there is something wrong somewhere in the direction of the war”, and that “all is not well with our supply arrangements”. (Five Regions)

  2. The news from Russia. (Three Regions) Confidence in Russia's powers of resistance, however, appears to be unshaken.

  3. The continued threat to Egypt, and particularly to Alexandria. (Three Regions)

  4. The belief that “the war will now drag on for a long time”. (Three Regions)

Some “pessimistic and even defeatist talk” is reported from the South Western Region.

Although the debate on the motion of “no confidence” aroused a good deal of interest, there was little strong feeling expressed about it. Reports from two Regions suggest, however, that it may have “cleared the air”.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 21 Edinburgh P.C.)

2. North Africa

This front continues to be the main subject of interest.

Egypt : At the beginning of the week our retreat was followed with anxiety and deep concern and “many people were prepared for the fall of Alexandria and the early loss of Egypt”. Since then, news of the check to Rommel's forces at El Alamein has been received with cautious relief and “it is felt that there are now real grounds for hope that further disasters may be avoided, and Rommel held”. The public are, however, “afraid to be optimistic and are waiting with ‘their fingers crossed’ for the results of the present battle.”

Satisfaction is expressed with “the increased co-operation between the R.A.F. and the Army, and with the “heroic efforts” of the R.A.F. as well as with the fighting qualities of our men.

Some suspicion is reported from two Regions of Egypt's passive attitude. “The blighters will let us down if they dare” says one report.

Libya and Tobruk : The bewilderment felt over our Libyan defeat is said to have been increased by Mr. Churchill's statement that both he and the High Command were surprised at the loss of Tobruk. There is some talk of treachery and a story is circulating in the London Region that “Tobruk was prematurely surrendered by General Klopper because of anti-British sympathies”. Comparison is also made between “the holding of Tobruk by Australians and New Zealanders and its fall when South Africans were there”. But blame for our Libyan disasters is not so much attached to individuals, as to the following factors:-

  1. Our equipment. (Four Regions)

  2. General Wavell's transfer to India. (Four Regions)

  3. The “die-hard attitude” of Service chiefs and the War Office. (Two Regions)

  4. “High and low having too good a time in Cairo and Alexandria”. (Two Regions)

  5. “Politicians over-rule soldiers, and the General in Command is denied local freedom of action”. (Two Regions.)

  6. Lack of sufficiently ruthless Commanders. (Two Regions)

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

3. The Motion of “No Confidence”

The result of the debate on the conduct of the war seems to have been regarded as “a foregone conclusion”. It appears, however, that the overwhelming vote for the Government is not considered to reflect the amount of criticism which exists.” “The failure of our production organisation to match the German arms, and the story of the shortcomings of the equipment of the Eighth Army”, have caused disquiet and “have increased frustration and bewilderment”. (Six Regions)

On the other hand “there are signs of developing intolerance at this washing of a lot of dirty linen which serves no useful purpose, but only depresses the spirits of the British public and encourages the enemy”. It seems also to be fairly widely felt that the debate was “a waste of valuable time which could be used more profitably in considering constructive measures for the more effective prosecution of the war”. It is suggested that such debates tend to lower the prestige of Parliament. (Five Regions)

While little sympathy is reported for the “enemies of the Prime Minister”, praise of Mr. Aneurin Bevan is reported from the Northern Region. “Approval for the frankness of other speakers and some praise for Sir John Wardlaw Milne” are reported from the North Western Region, though his proposal for the Duke of Gloucester's promotion is said to have caused in various Regions “blank astonishment”, “derision” and “uncomfortable speculation” as to what was in his mind.

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

4. The Prime Minister

Mr. Churchill's position as “the obvious leader of the people” appears to have been unaffected by the Debate, and he “still inspires widespread loyalty”. Some criticism is still, however, reported (from seven Regions) on familiar lines:-

  1. That the post of Minister of Defence places too great a strain on him.

  2. That he continues to take responsibility for “the errors of his second-rate colleagues”.

(1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 21 Edinburgh P.C.)

5. Russia

Signs that the long awaited German offensive may have begun have turned public attention once more to the Russian front. The fall of Sevastopol was expected and has been attended by “glowing admiration for the defenders”, whose prolonged resistance is contrasted with the sudden capitulation of Tobruk.

It is realised that the struggle on the Russian fronts is serious and intense, but there appears to be little doubt “in the minds of most people that the Russians will not be beaten and will always be able to stage a come-back”.

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

6. R.A.F. offensive

The public is still reported to be mystified at the need for the R.A.F. to pay return visits to Bremen after our thousand bomber raid: it is asked why, “when so few planes can do so much damage here, isn't one visit from us as effective?”

Some disappointment is also expressed that “the thousand bomber raids on Germany haven't been kept up”.

(2, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12)

7. Shipping losses

Concern continues to be reported about our shipping losses and “the hope is expressed that it may be possible to make some official statement on the matter”.

(1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12)

8. Anglo-American relations

A report from Scotland attributes growing confidence in the U.S. war effort to the following factors:-

  1. The Londonderry naval base, two Regions, however, criticise publication of this news as “an open invitation to Hitler to bomb Londonderry”.

  2. The increased number of U.S. troops in Great Britain.

  3. The Wasp's Malta exploit.

  4. The presence of U.S. troops in the Middle East.

  5. A feeling that U.S. help “may come in time”.

In contradiction of the last factor there appears to be in other Regions some scepticism of official promises about forthcoming U.S. aid; it is being said that “they talk too much and do too little”, and that “a tank in Libya is worth two in Chicago”. The fear is mentioned that the U.S. Press may cause strained relations between the two countries unless they restrain their denunciations and carping “criticism of England”.

U.S. troops : From the North Midland Region there are indications of some difficulties over the treatment of U.S. coloured soldiers. “The kindness meted out to coloured Americans by their British hosts is said to be resented and misunderstood by the white Americans who do not mix with them”. Guidance is asked for in Northampton on this subject, and it is suggested that it would be useful to local authorities, hotels, canteens, etc,.

(1, 3, 7, 8, 11, 13)

9. The second front

There appears to be less talk this week about a second front and some feeling is reported, since the loss of Libya, that it would be useless to start one “when we can't hold what we've got”.

Some sections of the public, however, continue to desire a second front, “as the only way of really getting at Germany and ensuring Russia's continued resistance”.

(5, 7, 9, 10, 12)

10. Post-raid feeling in Norwich

At the request of the Regional Commissioner, the Senior Assistant Officer, Eastern Region, visited Norwich on 2nd July to discover whether recent raids had produced any demand for the town to be made an evacuation area. The raids occurred on April 27th and 29th, May 8th and June 26/7th. On the night of June 29th, however - although there were apparently no raiders - the alert was sounded, and as during a heavy thunderstorm a number of balloons caught fire or were struck down, some people thought a raid had occurred.

It appears that although “morale was reported by everyone to be higher than ever”, the raid on June 26th/7th and the thunderstorm on the 29th made people “aware of the limit of their endurance”. Those spoken to “were noticeably more fatigued and shaken by the recent raids than after the earlier and more severe ones, and it is thought that “a considerable deterioration of the situation might ensue if there should be further raids”.

The main conclusions of the report may be summarised as follows:

Evacuation : The people interviewed, with one exception, all have children of their own or had children in their charge during the raids. None of these people indicated a wish to send their children away from Norwich, and no one referred to anyone else having expressed this desire. Some had, however, sent children for a brief rest into the neighbouring country, but in each case the child had already returned home. People's attitude to the question of evacuation is said to be influenced by the following points:-

  1. Raids on neighbouring reception areas in remote parts of East Anglia have been so frequent that people in Norwich are not convinced that evacuation gives immunity from bombing. It is suggested that the “evacuation of houses in the immediate vicinity of a likely industrial target” is the most desirable type of evacuation.

  2. The tensions arising from the break-up of the family are recognised, special stress being laid on the desirability of keeping the family unit together.

  3. The possible frictions connected with billeting .

Unemployment : As a result of “considerable industrial damage” some sections of the population are said to fear being either unemployed or compulsorily moved to other work.

Incendiaries v. high explosives : Considerable divergence of views is reported on the “comparative horror” of incendiary and high explosive raids. “The more educated” claimed that the fire bombs on June 26/7th had a far less shattering effect on the community than had the earlier raids in which H.E.s predominated, while “the more ignorant” said they found the fire raid much more difficult to stand. “Watching a row of their own homes burning” seems to have a far worse effect on the poorer families “than to emerge from shelter ... and find one house has been erased”. Considerable criticism of the N.F.S. was expressed, from a belief that “they concerned themselves with industrial fires at the expense of fires in private houses”.

Much controversy centred round the question whether fire watchers should, or should not, take shelter during the zenith of a raid; in practice the deciding factor in keeping a party at its post seems to have been the “presence of a strong personality as leader”.

Reassuring factors : The following factors are mentioned as having a reassuring influence:-

  1. Shelters : The public appear to place considerable confidence in the “ample shelters provided for all in close proximity to their homes”, and praise for street shelters and Anderson shelters was high. In view of the great damage done by fire, the Morrison shelters were regarded by many people as “worse than a trap”. One advantage of an Anderson shelter is that it combines “effective shelter with an active watch against fire in the shelterer's house”.

  2. The balloon barrage : This is said to have given “very considerable reassurance” to all classes, and there was comment that “nothing could be more damaging to morale than its removal.

(14 Eastern)

11. Broadcasting and presentation of news

Criticism of news presentation - chiefly with reference to Libya - continues, though it appears that “the earlier intense irritation” has subsided to some extent, and that “criticism is perhaps less violent than last week”. “Disbelief in the news as given over the wireless or through the Press” is widely reported, either directly or by implication. The demand is for “plain facts” and for “dispassionate and factual statements”, a desire which is summed up in a Postal Censorship quotation: “Tell us the truth - tell us we're in a damned tough spot and we'll get out of it. But tell us we might be worse off, and we'll sit back and wait until it happens”.

Though “reports still stress that rosy presentation of the Libyan battle news contributed largely to the severity of the fall in the level of public spirits”, dissatisfaction with news presentation for being too optimistic seems to have died down almost completely, and one Regional report now refers to “appreciation of the more soberly worded communiqués from Egypt”.

Criticism appears to be made chiefly on the following grounds:

  1. Minimising of bad news : There are complaints of “the flattering platitudes of the news and papers, minimising everything” and “making one believe nothing they say”. There is said to be a constant demand for news “to inspire rather than to produce complacency, and for no spoon feeding of syrup in preparation for the release of bad news” ... As another writer quoted by Postal Censorship says: “We writhe under sweet words of consolation”. According to the Scottish report, at a time when the early loss of Egypt was expected, people were speculating bitterly “on the way this would be put over” anticipating that “the B.B.C. and M.O.I. have their communiqués already prepared telling us that Egypt, after all, is of very little importance”. People are reported to ask why the News Bulletins on the Home Service “quietly alter miles to kilometres as the Germans approach Alexandria”, which seems like “an attempt to make the bad look better”.

  2. Indiscretion : It is felt that “we give away too much information” (some people are said to believe that “M.P.s are particularly prone to this error”). The B.B.C. is criticised for “allowing the world to know on Wednesday night, July 1st, in the midnight news, that the House was still sitting”. It is complained also that the B.B.C. “gives information to the enemy by stating that troops are in certain areas, and by disclosing too much information about war industries. There are complaints, too, that “to announce the successful arrival of a convoy at Malta is nothing less than an invitation to the enemy to bomb the ships in port”; “those with friends or relatives in the Navy and Merchant Service” are said to “lay particular stress on this point and urge that nothing should be disclosed concerning the arrival of convoys until the ships have been unloaded and have dispersed again”.

  3. Padding and repetition : There are demands for “terser bulletins” and the “cutting out of irrelevant detail”. Owing to “the repetitive quality” of the B.B.C. news, the morning bulletins are said to be preferred to the evening.

B.B.C. and Press compared : There is some tendency since the loss of Tobruk to think that the B.B.C. smacks too much of propaganda and “gives only half the truth”, and is “no more reliable than the news we get in the papers”. (It may be of interest to compare this with the findings of B.B.C. Listener Research, on the public's estimate of the relative standings of B.B.C. news bulletins and the press, mentioned in our report No. 88, 11th June; in this it was stated that, “the great majority consider the B.B.C. news bulletins more reliable than the Press”.) “The Press, on the other hand is criticised for being “exaggerated” and “extravagant in reporting either advances or reverses”. The public is said to be “bewildered by the diverse accounts of the fighting given by the Military Correspondents on the war fronts”, and “completely contradictory versions of the same incident are said to have been given in different papers”.

Listening in to enemy broadcasts : This continues to be reported on the grounds that (a) “You get the news earlier and undisguised”, and (b) the names of men reported missing may be included in the lists of prisoners of war.

B.B.C. announcers : Some criticism is reported of the “Everything-in-the-garden-is-lovely voices” of the B.B.C. announcers, which are unfavourably compared with the “deep, powerful and convincing tones of American news announcers”. Two Regional reports, however, refer to favourable comment on “the wonderful diction” and “good speaking personality” of the new announcer, Mr. Robert Robinson.

(1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 21 Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Manchester P.C.s, 32).

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS

12. Industry

On the whole, little criticism of production is reported this week, but from three Regions disappointment and discouragement are reported among war workers because “we are apparently turning out duds”. It is thought that this refers not to specific examples of faulty work, but implies that organisation throughout the whole arms industry is being widely questioned. Only one case is reported of a drop in production; this comes from the Midland Region, where the news from Libya is alleged to have caused in one factory a 37% drop in output of shells; in spite of some improvement, a 20% drop is still reported.

Shipyards : Some criticism is reported of idleness in shipyards. In the Falmouth area reserves of labour are said to be “kept in idleness between repairing spells”. In one yard, where 3,000 men are said to have such periods of idleness, the effect on the population is described as very bad.

According to the Scottish report, “people living near shipyards are wondering why these are idle at weekends”. Workmen at Rosyth Dockyard are thought to believe that “as quotas frequently underestimate what the men can do, the ‘quota’ system leads to slackness”.

Wage Rates :

From two Regions dissatisfaction among wage earners is reported. The increased miners' wage is said to have been very well received, and the public “now definitely expect increased production and peace in the industry”. The miners are, however, said to be not completely satisfied, and in the North Eastern Region an ever-increasing demand is reported “that the grades of all workers should be classified, and that basic rates of pay should be standardised”.

From London and Wales, there is some recurrence of stories that “scores of people get paid high wages for doing next to nothing”.

(1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21 Carlisle P.C.)

13. Woman power

Following the call by the Minister of Labour for increased use of women in war industries, and the recent campaigns for the recruitment of women, public interest in the subject has been revived. While it is felt that, on the whole, the situation is fairly satisfactory, criticism is still voiced along familiar lines:-

  1. The evasion of responsibilities by young married women , whom, it is said, “nothing short of compulsion is likely to recruit”. Against this it is pointed out in the London Region that some married women have found increased working hours “the last straw”, as previously “they had just been able to cope with home affairs as well”. (3 Regions)

  2. Insufficient “demanding” by the Government : volunteers and others are still of the opinion “that a far greater measure of compulsion is needed”. (3 Regions)

  3. Unsuitability of women interviewers : This complaint is again renewed. During the Sheffield campaign “girls with painted face and fingernails, sipping cups of tea”, were considered “not the type of interviewer to appeal to local working women”. (3 Regions)

  4. Insufficient explanation to workers of their job's relation to the war effort : (2 Regions)

  5. The delay in calling up groups of women who have already registered . (2 Regions)

  6. Full-time v. part-time workers : Certain types of full-time workers tend to ask why they should be kept on full-time where part-timers are now employed. Some signs are reported of victimisation of part-timers by full-time colleagues on this account. (1 Region)

(1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 21 Nottingham P.C.)

14. Food

General satisfaction with the food situation continues to be reported from several Regions and is confirmed by Postal Censorship.

Poultry Restrictions : appear to have provoked resentment and criticism in five Regions among “backyard poultry keepers” who feel they should have been given notice before the spring breeding season and before winter preparations had been made. In accordance with the Government's policy to encourage the keeping of back yard poultry, many poor families are reported to have “spent much money on buying birds and equipment at high prices”, and now “money, time and trouble” are said to have been “thrown away”. There appears to be some confusion about the meaning of the Order itself, which “does not apply to those able to feed their chickens without buying food”; among those who cannot do so, “an enormous killing of birds” is predicted from one Region. The suggestion that neighbours should surrender their shell egg coupons is considered unpractical “because of the likelihood of disagreement when supplies are short”.

In the South Western Region it is suggested that the new restrictions will bring special hardship to families in rural areas where fish and unrationed cooked meats are “scarce and almost unobtainable”, and where housewives rely on eggs, especially for children. From two Regions it is reported that the public favour the restrictions.

Fresh fruit and tomatoes : Complaints about the scarcity and unequal distribution of fresh fruit and tomatoes continue to be reported from five Regions and by Postal Censorship. Exception is taken to the fact “that so much fresh fruit should be allocated to jam and canned fruit manufacturers” when it would be “more desirable to eat fruit in its fresh condition”. There are continued complaints of unfair discrimination by some shopkeepers against (a) “newcomers”, (b) favoured customers who are allowed “to place orders every day for strawberries”, (c) retailers refusing to “sell tomatoes to any but registered customers”.

National Bread and wheatmeal flour . There are continued complaints of digestive and stomach trouble attributed to the National Bread and from two Regions come reports of housewives sifting wheatmeal flour to obtain “something approximating to white flour”. According to reports from one Region the rougher unsifted part is fed to poultry.

Meat pies and rations for agricultural Workers : Difficulties in the distribution of meat pies are reported from three Regions, but it is said that where distribution is done locally by the W.V.S. and Women's Institutes it is more successful and popular than when it is carried out by local authorities. In Oxfordshire the scheme is said to be working well. There is some suggestion that extra meat and cheese rations for farm workers would be a better solution, and in Dorset the Agricultural Workers' Union have put this forward as a definite demand, but it is said that some wives support the meat pie scheme because it adds to their husbands' rations and saves their doing “extra cooking”.

From the South Eastern Region come complaints that to[Text Missing] and fat rations for farm workers are inadequate, the latter being so because of the workers' sandwich meals.

Children's rations : Some feeling among women is reported from [Text Missing] two Regions that the under fives' rations are too generous, and that older children do not get enough. It is suggested, for instance, that babies do not need “orange juice, oranges and four eggs a week”, and that an allowance of oranges for the 5 to 14 year olds would be welcome.

(1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 21 Aberdeen, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Nottingham, Reading P.C.s)

15. Transport

Allegations of “intolerable conditions” on trains “packed with holiday makers”, petrol waste and evasion of restrictions, and of the inadequacy of bus services, particularly in rural areas, once again form the subject of much criticism and complaint. In the North Eastern and North Western Regions, as well as in Wales, liberal abuse of petrol is alleged; in Sheffield it is said that “the first week in July has brought no vast difference in the number of private cars on the road”, and much indignation has been caused by the misuse of petrol by hirer-drivers of cars and taxis.

Holiday travel : What is described as “the complete failure of the Ministry of War Transport to plan ahead for the holiday period and ration travel” is the subject of widespread comment, causing serious apprehensions of “a breakdown in passenger trains traffic when the peak period, August, is reached”.

In certain parts of the country the running of special trains is reported to be having a disturbing effect among workers; “Local Authorities are furious”. Many people had apparently planned to stay at home in response to the Government's request, and although there are signs that they are doing so, there is anger “that the Government should not know its own mind on a point of this sort, and fury at tales of black markets in holiday railway tickets”.

Serious inconvenience to official or essential, travellers by the movements of holiday-makers is again reported; from three Regions the desirability of priority passes or vouchers is stressed.

(2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 21 Aberdeen P.C. 29)

16. Fuel

Waste of Fuel Order : The reception of this order is reported on the whole to have been favourable. The public is stated to be willing to assist the Government, though in one Region there are reported “tendencies to treat voluntary economies lightly”. Concern is also reported “at-the possibility of a repetition of a shortage of coal during the winter (particularly for occupants of upstairs flats)”.

In three Regions there is criticism of “the great waste of light” in works, stores and public places; the following instances are given:-

1. The Conference Hall, County Hall, for the lunch time War Commentary.

2. Harrods.

3. Barkers' bargain basement.

4. Lighting of display boards and public buildings.

From three Regions there is approval of Major Lloyd George's fuel broadcast: “a fair and reasonable approach to a difficult subject”.

(1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12)

17. Public health

While there appears to be no widespread apprehension on the subject, there seems to be some evidence for the belief, reported in three Regions, of a deterioration of the nation's health. A doctor is reported as saying that “medical men all over the country will confirm that, while there is an absence of serious illness at the moment, the majority of the population are distinctly below par. The majority of practitioners are frequently refusing to issue certificates of unfitness although on pre-war standards they would have done so”.

Small-pox in Glasgow and Swindon : Outbreaks of small-pox in Glasgow and Swindon are reported to be causing agitation and alarm in the former, and anxiety in the latter locality. In Glasgow “huge queues are to be seen outside doctors' surgeries for vaccination and, in spite of public announcements about the number of cases, rumours are current that the number is greater than that published”. In the suburbs news of almost any illness in a street sends all the neighbours to clinics to be vaccinated.

(2, 5, 7, 10, 11)

18. The proposed concentration of retail shops

Three Regional reports refer to feeling about the proposals of the Craig Henderson Committee for the wartime “concentration of the retail non-food trades”. On the whole, opinion appears to be divided, with “a larger proportion against than in favour” of the proposals, but there is no evidence to suggest that the public - as opposed to the retail trade - is showing much interest in them. From the London Region, however, some apprehension is reported on the part of those who look to the private shopkeeper “for that personal service which is peculiar to the small trader”. Some traders are said to feel sceptical of “official assurances about post-war opening”, as it is felt that “conditions may make it impossible to implement them”.

(1, 3, 5)

19. Constant topics and complaints

  1. High wages of young people, in some cases causing demoralisation. (1, 5, 6, 10, 14 South Western)

  2. Shopping difficulties, particularly due to lunch-hour closing. (2, 3, 6, 10, 29)

  3. The “inadequacy of old age pensions”. (5, 10, 12, 14 Eastern)

  4. The “absurdity of the regulations covering restaurant meals” (2, 5, 11)

  5. Inadequate allowance of coupons (a) for school children, (b) for workers in dirty jobs, and (c) for people in poor districts who can only “afford the cheap shoes which do not wear well, and hence use up coupons”. (1, 5, 12)

  6. The shortage and high price of accommodation (5, 6, 21 Glasgow, P.C)

  7. Waste of paper due to form-filling (3, 10, 21 Nottingham P.C.)

  8. Inadequate collection of salvage (5, 10, 21 Cardiff P.C.)

20. Rumours

Rumour mongers have again been active in retailing alleged incidents between U.S. and British troops. For example, American soldiers are reported to be saying that “yellow” is a fourth colour of the Union Jack. Another example - reported from Reading, Winchester and London - is of an American asking to be served with a drink “as quickly as you left Dunkirk”. Other rumours relate to the large sums of money which American troops are thought to possess. It is suggested in one Region that these rumours are being “deliberately put about”. In Oxford many stories are reported to be circulating about the large number of American troops said shortly to be coming to the South of England, and a house in Banbury Road is being pointed out as an American headquarters.

Miscellaneous rumours include the following:

“The British Fleet left Alexandria and went through the Suez Canal on June 30th”.

877

REFERENCES

1. Northern Region (Newcastle) Weekly Reports from R.I.Os.
2. North Eastern Region (Leeds)
3. North Midland Region (Nottingham)
4. Eastern Region (Cambridge)
5. London Region (London)
6. Southern Region (Reading)
7. South Western Region (Bristol)
8. Wales (Cardiff)
9. Midland (Birmingham)
10. North Western Region (Manchester)
11. Scotland (Edinburgh)
12. South Eastern Region (Tunbridge Wells)
13. Northern Ireland (Belfast)
14. Special Reports from R.I.Os..
15. Regions Adviser's Reports
16. M.O.I. Speakers' Reports
17. Local Information Committee Reports
18. Home Press Summaries M.O.I.
19. Regional Press Summaries
20. Hansard
21. Postal Censorship
22. Police Duty Room Reports
23. Wartime Social Survey
24. B.B.C. Listener Research Papers
25. B.B.C. Special Papers
26. Citizens' Advice Bureau Reports
27. W.V.S. Reports
28. Scottish Unionist Whips' Reports
29. Liberal Party's Reports
30. Economic League's Reports
31. War Office Post Bag Summaries
32. Primary Sources

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