APPENDIX I
BRITISH INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC OPINION
SECRET
For internal circulation only.
Survey results for July 1942, supplied to Home Intelligence Division
.
Ministry of Information.
The following results of a survey, made by the British Institute of Public Opinion in the days immediately preceding July 20, have been kindly supplied to us. This survey was not sponsored by Home Intelligence.
1.
Personal knowledge of America
In January 1942, the British Institute carried out a survey for this department on British opinion about America. One of the questions asked was: “Have you ever visited the United States?” The result obtained - 6% said “Yes” - was considered by some critics to be unduly high - and to invalidate the other results.
In July 1942, the British Institute repeated this question with another which was also asked in our January survey:
Q: “Do you know any Americans personally?”
Yes
No
%
%
January 1942
39
61
July 1942
35
65
“Have you ever visited the United States?”
Yes
No
%
%
January 1942
6
94
July 1942
6
94
The chance of a fortuitous error on both occasions are so remote that they can be discounted, and the July results may be regarded as confirming our January findings.
2.
Extent of war separation
Q: “Has the war separated you from anyone dear to you, such as a member of your family, your fiancé or sweetheart?”
By evacuation
By service
By employment
Killed
No
.
%
%
%
%
%
Total in March 1940
6
28
5
1
63
Total now
8
43
9
7
40
Men
9
39
9
7
44
Women
8
48
9
7
36
Age groups:
21 - 29
5
54
9
5
4
30 - 49
10
40
9
6
42
50 and over
7
44
10
8
39
Economic groups:
Upper
7
50
5
6
37
Middle
9
39
10
8
44
Lower
8
44
9
7
39
COMMENTS
:
1. Since war separation is an important factor in determining basic morale, especially in women, these results have a special interest.
2. The March 1940 figures show a slightly lower evacuation separation figure than the present ones. At that time the drift back before the start of intensive bombing was well developed, and it may be presumed that at present a similar drift has affected all but the most stable evacuees. As might be expected, people in the 30s and 40s suffer the greatest amount of separation by evacuation.
3. The notable increase in separation by service is to be expected, as also is the higher degree of such separation among women.
4. The increase in separation by employment is surprisingly small.
5. The increase in separation by war deaths is to be expected.
