230 231 3 234 6 236 8 237 9

SECRET
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
Weekly Report by Home Intelligence - No. 70
Copy No. 193

4th February, 1942

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.

5. Russia

Russian successes continue to provide an antidote to bad news from other fronts and there appears to be growing confidence that the advance is permanent. “Thank God for Russia” is a frequent expression of the very deep and fervent feeling for that country which permeates wide sections of the public.

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

6. The arrival of United States troops in Northern Ireland

The arrival of American troops in Great Britain has been generally welcomed as “a token that America does not propose to remain merely an arsenal”. There has been much speculation as to the precise purpose for which these troops were brought to Northern Ireland and the following conjectures have been made:-

Mr. de Valera : Mr. de Valera's protest has been received with anger and “contemptuous amusement”, and impatience is expressed with his Government's “ostrich-like policy”.

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

7. Lord Beaverbrook's broadcast

This broadcast appears to have been fairly widely considered not only as disappointing, but as “ill-timed and ill-advised”. Lord Beaverbrook's “apparent intervention in the middle of the House of Commons' debate with unsolicited testimonials to his leader has been deprecated.”

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

8. Presentation of News

Naming of Regiments : The naming of English, Scots, Welsh and Irish regiments is much appreciated as correcting the impression that “most of our fighting is done by Colonial troops”, but there are requests that the names of the regiments involved should not be mentioned until the casualty lists have been issued, as otherwise considerable anxiety is caused.

Loss of H.M.S. Barham : This has occasioned relatively little comment, but doubts are cast on the validity of the official explanation given for holding up the news.

Films : In the news reels great enthusiasm was shown for the Russian pictures. The “March of Time”, showing what would happen should the New Order come to New York, is said to have made a great impression, and it was suggested that a similar film should be made showing the possible effect on England.

B.B.C .

Minimising the news : There is a marked decrease in these complaints. Three Regions still refer to them, and demands continue for more war news “without cotton wool”. In Wales the comment was made: “Glowing reports should be made after great victories. Britishers can stand bad news - they won't tolerate bluff or evasion”.

Quentin Reynolds' Postscript to “Joe Smith” : Further reports confirm the disappointment recorded last week: his “line” of addressing one individual is thought to be overdone. Two Regions considered his references to 1945 “a shock” and “depressing”.

The Man in the Street's broadcast, in the European News, the text of which was said to be taken from the Archibishop of York's speech, was described as “disastrous”. Its utterances were declared in opposition to Mr. Churchill's assurances of more general retribution for our enemies.

(2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 17, 21 Manchester, Edinburgh P.C.s)

9. Rumours

Rumours continue to be relatively scarce. Among those reported are the following:-

1. That the Prime Minister was to broadcast last Sunday (widespread in Glasgow).

2. That Mr. Roosevelt is coming to England.

3. That all the American Fleet was sunk at Pearl Harbour (a rumour which was quieted by the Macassar Straits action).

4. That Singapore had fallen - and that, if it falls, there will be a severe shortage of quinine.

5. That Sir Stafford Cripps will refuse the post of Minister of Supply, because he is unwilling to work under Lord Beaverbrook.

(2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 11)

II. SPECIAL COMMENTS

10. Industry

“Complaints persist of wasted manpower, lack of managerial organisation and restricted industrial output”, as well as of “slacking by workmen, and of unexplained hold-ups”. There are also allegations of “eye-wash before inspections”, in view of which, “ surprise checks by Government officials” are suggested as desirable. It is, however, pointed out that “it is very difficult to get evidence of specific cases; there is so much ‘they say’ and ‘everyone knows’ kind of talk”; but there seems to be a fairly wide belief that production is not “anything like satisfactory”. There is some anticipation of “unpleasant revelations in the Russian delegates' report”, and some people are now saying that they “do not wonder that the Russians think we're slow”.

Minister of Production : Nine R.I.Os refer to public satisfaction at the projected appointment of a Minister of Production. This is said to have been “well received by workers, although some doubt is expressed as to the appointment being effective unless it also involves a Production Council really representative of workers as well as managements, and unless the Minister has absolute powers to prevent favoured treatment of certain contractors and to compel firms to work according to national interest apart from the profit motive. Managements hope that the Minister will also deal more effectively with any unofficial strikes than is done at present”.

Essential work : According to the R.I.O. Eastern Region, “suggestions are forthcoming from all grades of workers, (railwaymen, bus drivers, and the makers of screws or very small aeroplane parts) that more could be done to bring home to these people the essential and vital nature of their work. Talks in factories, films, and visits by production workers which would enable them to see the finished product in action, are the media suggested.” This confirms the view of the R.I.O., North Western Region, quoted in last week's Home Intelligence report. Complaints (which continue to be reported) that “girls recruited for war work find themselves put into work which is not, in fact, war work”, may be due to misconceptions as to what really is essential work.

Shop stewards : The recent visit of the unofficial shop stewards' delegation to London is said “to have had a greater success with the press and with Members of Parliament than it is likely to have with the rank and file of the workers”. According to the R.I.O., Scotland, “while the dissident or rebel shop stewards' leaders are doubtless convinced that the official Trades Union movement is too slow, a number of them nevertheless keep a foot in the official camp. The Trades Union's decision to recommend production committees has had more effect on the workers than the shop stewards' London delegation has had”.

The call-up of women : Very little discussion of this is now reported, though the “differences between mobile and immobile labour do not yet seem to be properly understood”. There continue, too, to be stories of “women boasting that they have not registered, and that they will not be traced because they have no permanent address”.

The following points are mentioned by R.I.Os:

(a) Marriage to avoid conscription : Much comment continues on the number of young women who are said to be getting married to avoid conscription. Postal Censorship mentions many letters “showing that there is no abatement in the rush of young women to get married to avoid conscription”.

(b) Part-time work for married women : There are still many requests for part-time work for married women, and there appears to be a strong feeling that this reservoir of potential labour has not been drawn upon sufficiently. There is said to be bitter criticism of the unwillingness of many employers to organise part-time work for women with family responsibilities.

War-workers' shopping difficulties : These are still reported from several Regions, and the demand for special shopping facilities continues. The adjustment of shopping hours to meet workers' convenience is advocated; cases are mentioned when workers in some outlying factories have had to lose half a day's work - and pay - to do essential shopping, and there has been some criticism at the fining of a woman who opened her hairdressing establishment on a Sunday for the convenience of women war workers.

Day nurseries : Five R.I.Os refer to the shortage of day nurseries, which is again said to be preventing many married women from taking up war work although they are anxious to do so. In view of reports that “local authorities circularise factories in their effort to ascertain the demand for nurseries”, it is pointed out that “naturally a negligible proportion of the workers in factories feel the lack of a nursery, as these people have already made their own arrangements. It is felt strongly that the local authorities are going to the wrong people with their questions, and are getting a wrong answer”.

The suggestion is made that a certain amount of absenteeism may result from the lack of nursery schools. Women workers are reported to have considerable difficulty because of the fact that schools do not keep children between 4 and 6 in the afternoon, and on Saturday mornings. It is reported that “many women are absentees from war work because they are staying at home to nurse their young children suffering from normal seasonal illness; and it is suggested that sick-bays should be provided in connection with nurseries”, although the difficulty of finding both staff and accommodation for this is appreciated.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17)

11. Transport

Ten R.I.Os mention transport difficulties this week. The position has been aggravated in some areas by bad weather and by the illness of drivers and conductresses leading to a curtailment of services. The transport problem as it affects war workers is referred to by seven R.I.Os and the following points are noted:

Workers' priority : There is said to be a “widespread demand among factory workers for transport priority facilities”. The difficulties of workers in getting places in buses during rush hours is mentioned, particularly those who are not dirty and are therefore indistinguishable from shoppers.

Bus repairs : In answer to complaints of inadequate bus services, the transport authorities (in Oxford and other towns in the Southern Region) allege that “they cannot improve the service owing to the shortage of drivers and also the serious shortage of competent mechanics for repair work”. It is felt that “the Government must take action to maintain essential civilian transport if it expects increased production”.

Fare anomalies : Cases are reported where “fares for an identical journey are different according to whether bus, train or tram is used, with the result that at rush hours there are bus and tram queues - in which workers may wait as much as an hour - while the trains run almost empty”.

Disorders at bus stops : Compulsory queues are suggested as the remedy for the disorderly scenes which are reported to take place at many bus stops in the North Western Region.

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

12. Workers' wages and Service pay

“The high wages of munition workers compared with the pay of the Services continues to cause bitter comment, and there appears to be a growing demand for the introduction of a general wage level for all forms of national service”. Much dissatisfaction is reported among soldiers and their dependants about Service allowances, and “it is felt that allowances for children at least should be increased”. There is also said to be dissatisfaction with the practice of “using members of the Services working side by side with civil labour, but with completely different rewards and under different conditions”. Announcements about the pay of American troops have revived feeling on the subject of the inequalities of pay of Home and Dominion Troops.

Although criticism continues to be expressed at the high wages paid to juveniles, a strong feeling is reported “in working-class circles, that if children do adults' work they should receive adults' pay. The root of the trouble is thought to be the long and fatiguing hours which these juveniles are working, led on by the incentive of the high wages; and it is felt that health may suffer seriously in the long run, and that production by adolescents will go down”.

(2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 17, 32)

13. Income Tax

Income tax continues to arouse a great deal of discussion, particularly among war workers and those paying for the first time; and it is still reported to be one of the factors making for absenteeism, “workers knocking off when their earnings reach the new income tax level”. The following points are mentioned by R.I.Os:

Income tax on overtime : This is the subject of conflicting reports. In Scotland and in the London Region there is said to be “some feeling that overtime should not be so heavily taxed, as workers would then find it worth while to put in the extra time”; but in the North Eastern Region the proposal that the overtime pay of shipyard workers should be free of tax is said to have been denounced by many people with disgust, and the comment that “workers are being given far too much in this war”.

Method of deduction : Workers are said to be “concerned about how they will be able to meet the demand on past earnings at the end of the war, when their big earnings, and even their jobs, may have departed”. It is pointed out that “the method of computing tax from past earning will work for those whose incomes allow them to carry on from year to year, but not for the working man who lives from week to week”; and it is suggested that “a pay-as-you-go method should be devised, to free the workers' mind from present worry over a future debt”.

Married women : The unwillingness of many married but childless women to go to work, “unless they are absolutely dragged”, continues to be reported; they are said to feel that “with the present rate of income tax it is not worth it”.

Post-war credit : It is said that scepticism about this will continue “until the amounts accumulating are announced definitely to individuals”.

Income tax publicity : Requests have been made that “competent speakers should give talks in factories and explain exactly how income tax provisions apply to specific groups of workers”.

(2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 32)

14. Food .

General : There have been few grumbles this week and a typical comment is that “we're jolly lucky to have as much as we have”. In Scotland queusing is said almost to have disappeared, except for confectionery. Some small complaint continues at rationed foods being served in restaurants without coupons.

Milk : Complaints of shortage or mal-distribution appear to have decreased. A feeling exists that “over fives” should be included in the national milk scheme as soon as possible. The belief continues that the children's milk and eggs are “pooled” within the family.

Fish : Shortage is reported from six Regions. Kippers and bloaters are said to be specially missed, and it is alleged that smoked haddock is not put on the market as the smoking would entail a loss of 1d or 2d. a pound at the controlled price.

Black Markets : These continue to be a sore point with the public. “There is a strong desire to see the black market profiteers in prison”.

British restaurants : The demand for these continues.

Chain stores : Assurances that chain stores do not get preferential treatment are not generally believed. When the “points” value of salmon was raised, because of its shortage, people pointed to chain stores selling “hundreds of salmon sandwiches”.

“Licensed by the Ministry of Food” : This phrase on a package of food is said often to give a misleading impression of the value of the contents, since no indication has been given of the standard required.

Points rationing : The extension of the scheme continues to give general satisfaction.

A special report on this subject (the material mainly collected before the recent extension of the scheme) has been received from the R.I.O. North Western Region. There seems to be unanimous approval for the scheme, and a large majority favour its extension to include such foods as sweets, biscuits and fruit. Among small retailers there are said to be differences of opinion about the scheme on account of the “extra work” involved; in general, however, they are said to approve of it, “because the multiple store no longer has an apparent monopoly of tinned goods”. Some regret has been expressed that points cannot be carried on from one period to another. It is suggested that poor people may be at some disadvantage because they can only afford to buy gradually, and all the popular foods are bought at the start of each rationing period.

People living alone are also thought to be at a disadvantage because their choice is restricted to small tins; an increase in the number and variety of these would be welcomed. Slicing by the retailer appears to provide some solution to this problem, though it adds to the retailer's trouble, and is said to be wasteful.

American tinned foods : Although at first the public seemed rather distrustful of these, they are now said to be very popular, though it is suggested that more information would be welcome, both on their nature and on the methods of cooking then. In general, the American packs are thought to be too large and to lead to waste.

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 17, 21, Manchester Edinburgh, P.C.s)

15. Constant Topics and Complaints

Salvage : Complaints of the inadequate arrangements for the collection of salvage continue to be heard in many quarters.

Matches : “The acute shortage of matches is thought to be the cause of more chain smoking, and also waste of gas; there is a tendency to keep a jet alight in case it is needed. People are asking, rather sarcastically, ‘Where are the Government's Utility Lighters?’”

Thefts of Food : “Thefts of poultry are said to be increasing, as also is the practice of sheep-stealing which is said to be quite easy with a motor car or lorry.”

Delay in repairs of watches, shoes, wireless sets, motor cars, and lorries are increasingly remarked on.

Shortages : These include:- Wireless valves and batteries, thermos flasks, second-hand bicycles, typewriters, prams, razor-blades, tools, oil stoves and oil lamps, paraffin, elastic and all goods which contain rubber; hardware, crockery and glassware; household linens, and various categories of clothing, such as children's boots and shoes, Wellington boots (all sizes), women's and infants' woollen underclothing, boiler suits; toilet articles, among them combs, hair clips, face powder, cold cream, paper handkerchiefs; home-laundry requisites, such as starch, ‘blue’, and soap flakes; tobacco, cigarettes and cigarette-papers, matches and lighters; fish, rabbits, fresh and dried fruit, breakfast cereals, offal (including suet) sweets, chocolate, biscuits and cakes.

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