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A RECORD OF THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION IN SCOTLAND
1939 ----------------- 1946

St. Andrew's House,

Edinburgh, 1.

GENERAL

Late in August 1939 plans were prepared for the opening of a Scottish Office of the Ministry of Information; and on September 3 the late Mr. James Willock, editorial director of the Glasgow Herald, took up duty as Chief Regional Information Officer. By instruction of the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, the Public Relations staffs of all Government Departments were merged in the Ministry of Information. Mr. Niven F. McNicoll, the Public Relations Officer to the Scottish Departments, moved into the Ministry in London, Mr. W.M. Ballantine, Press Officer to the Departments, became Deputy Chief Regional Information Officer in Scotland; and Mr. D.N. Braid, Staff end Intelligence Officer of the Branch, became Staff Officer to the new Department.

The first office of the Ministry in Scotland was in the Land Court, Grosvenor Crescent, but the accommodation not being sufficient, a transfer was made to the former Office of the Secretary of State in Scotland at Drumsheugh Gardens, this office having been rendered vacant by the opening of St.Andrew's House and the setting up of the Scottish Home Department.

In November, 1939, the entire Ministry establishment was reviewed. The Chief Regional Information Officers retired and the Public Relations staffs returned to their Departments. On examination, it was agreed jointly by the Scottish Departments and the Ministry of Information that it would be futile to have two information services in Scotland, and that the one office would serve both interests. Accommodation was found for the staff in St.Andrew's House, and Mr. McNicoll was appointed Regional Information Officer for Scotland, as an additional post to that of Intelligence and Public Relations Officer, which he already held. On his leaving to take up administrative duty in the Ministry of Health in London in 1941, Mr. Ballantine was appointed his successor, an appointment he continued to hold until the disappearance of the Ministry.

STAFFING

The staff complement of the Regional Office in Edinburgh altered from time to time as the work developed or changed. Towards the end of hostilities in Europe the staff working under the Regional Information Officer consisted of 1 Deputy Regional Information Officer, 3 Senior Assistant Officers, 3 Assistant Officers and 7 clerks. Common services and typing services were supplied by Scottish Home Department.

From 1940 sub-offices existed in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness working directly to the R.I.O. The Glasgow office was staffed by a part-time District Information Officer, 1 Press Officer, 1 Senior Assistant Officer, and 2 clerk-typists. The other offices were in the charge of an honorary District Secretary with the help of a Personal Assistant.

FILMS

In the beginning little direction was given to the Regional Information Officer. In Scotland, however, there was an urgent and immediate job to be done. The Government's Evacuation Scheme had resulted in the expulsion from the cities to the country of 137,000 children and 30,000 mothers or guardians. It was too much to expect that a large proportion of city bred people would settle at once into the quiet life of rural Scotland. The most obvious loss they experienced was the absence of “the pictures”. In an effort to supply this need, we created the first travelling film scheme in Britain. With the aid of the Scottish Educational Film Association and the Directors of Education for Edinburgh and Glasgow, it was arranged that school teachers in the sending areas would drive into the country districts giving film shows at schools to both villagers and evacuees. Thanks to the pioneer work of the enthusiastic teachers the scheme was a great success. Planned to last one month, it survived three and only came to an end when the evacuation scheme itself collapsed. During that time these improvised units gave 1,484 shows to a total audience of 152,549. It formed 8 -2-the experimental basis of the travelling film scheme of the Ministry not only for Great Britain but for the Empire. This was not the only scheme operated at that time. Due largely to the initiative of Sir Alex. King, the cinema trade organised over 90 matinees during the Christmas season for about 65,000 children. Throughout the war, the cinema trade gave their co-operation whole-heartedly to the Ministry in Scotland.

The official travelling film units started their operations in September, 1940. The scheme began with four operators and a Films Officer. Now its strength is 15 operators, two service engineers and a Films and Assistant Films Officer. In the period to 31st March 1946 it has given shows in every county in Scotland, visited regularly all the larger islands, and has given a total of 29126 shows to an audience of approximately 3,500,000. Largely as a result of the activities of this section of the Ministry, the film as a means of presenting facts graphically to school- children, factory workers, and professional men and women, has achieved a place which is not likely to be overlooked.

MEETINGS.

The War Commentary lectures began early in the war. They were started in the belief that people should talk about the war, and to talk about it they had to learn more of the background to the great events which were happening all over the world than the newspapers had space to provide. Their success all over Scotland was instantaneous. Throughout the war audiences of 1,000 people and more gathered in cinemas on Sundays to listen to speakers who had something to say on current affairs. In addition, hundreds of smaller meetings in village halls and in school-rooms were provided with Ministry speakers.

The first War Commentary lectures which were held in whatever halls were available during the weeknights of the summer of 1940 were attended mainly by school teachers and business men and women. It was felt that something with a wider appeal might be initiated, and in August 1940 a series of meetings on “The Empire” was introduced on a Sunday evening in Poole's Cinema, Edinburgh. The meeting used films and music. Scores of people were turned away before the meeting was due to begin. At the second meeting, hundreds of people were turned away. The limited accommodation available for the War Commentary meetings began to be taxed to the utmost also, and in view of the fact that there was an obvious hunger for information which could only be met by more accommodation than was available during a weeknight, the War Commentary meetings were transferred to the cinemas on Sunday evenings, and films which had been so attractive a feature of the Empire meetings were also introduced. From the autumn of 1940 regular Sunday evening meetings were a feature of the Ministry's work throughout Scotland.

SPECIAL OCCASIONS .

The following are some of the special occasions in which the Ministry in Scotland took an important part.

Allies’ Week. This war unlike its predecessor did not begin with pageantry. As it proceeded, soldiers and civilians alike became conscious of colour as a symbol of the nation's determination. In April, 1942, the then Lord Provost, Sir William Y. Darling agreed to co-operate in an Allies’ Week and a Committee which was representative of the three Services, the University, the Educational Institute of Scotland, the three main Churches, the three principal political parties, the Women's Organisations, the Press, Civil Defence, the British Council and the Ministry of Information was formed.

The Week's Programme included

(1) A Grand Parade of about 2,000 men, including about 500 representatives of Allied Countries. Each contingent was preceded by a member of the British Legion bearing the flag of the nation represented, and eight bands took part. The Lord Provost Sir (then Mr.) William Y. Darling, took the salute.

(2) A Parade of Magistrates to St.Giles Cathedral on the Sunday. High Mass was celebrated at the Roman Catholic Cathedral and a special service was held in St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral.

On Sunday evening, Scheme A Film Shows were provided by the Ministry of Information in various cinemas in the City.

(3) A Concert in the Usher Hall provided by the British Council at which the Royal Netherlands Military Band, the Polish Soldiers’ Choir, and artists from other Allies took part.

(4) A Youth Rally addressed by students representing many of the Allies was held in the Pollock Hall, Edinburgh University. Over 1,000 representatives of youth organisations took part.

(5) Forces Night in the Usher Hall with the assistance of Cavalry Band and Orchestra, and soloists of the Allies performed.

(6) A Women's Demonstration in the Central Hall with the Lady Provost in the Chair and addressed by prominent representatives of Allied nations. A pageant of women of the Allies was staged at this meeting, which included women from the Services, the W. I.N.S. (industrial Workers) and the Women's Land Army. Nurses stewarded this meeting.

(7) Demonstration in the Usher Hall addressed by the Rt. Hon Anthony Eden, then Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and the Rt. Hon. Thomas Johnston, then Secretary of State for Scotland. The Lord Provost was in the chair.

In addition to these main items of the Week there were Band performances, photographic and other exhibitions in the main shops, film shows in factory and yard canteens and in the Scottish National Gallery, lectures in Edinburgh schools by speakers of several of the Allied nations, meetings supporting the Week in neighbouring towns, a wide B.B.C. coverage of feature and news broadcasts, newsreel coverage, and publication of a brochure entitled “Freedom Front” containing pictures and descriptive matter on Allied nations by Ministers of these nations. This booklet was sold at 3d and each day a programme of the day's events was inserted.

The slogan chosen for the week was taken from a poem by Kipling “Who Stands if Freedom Falls”.

The Allies Week in Edinburgh was followed by a series of similar weeks in the Borders.

St.Andrew's Day . In the same year we began a series of St.Andrew's Day meetings designed to focus attention on the nation's war contribution. The meetings were 10 -4-held on the Sunday nearest to St. Andrew's Day and in 1942 the speakers were Mr. Compton Mackenzie and Major Eric Linklater. All other meetings in the War Commentary series on that day had speakers on Scottish themes.

In 1943 the major meeting was held in the Playhouse, Edinburgh. The Rt. Hon. Thomas Johnston, then Secretary of State for Scotland was the principal speaker and music was provided by the Polish Army Choir. The occasion was used as a premiere for the two Scottish films “Power for the Highlands” and “Highland Doctor”. The two Under-Secretaries of State, the Rt. Hon. Joseph Westwood and Mr. Allan Chapman and three members of the Council of State, Lord Alness, Mr. Walter Elliot and Mr. Ernest Brown spoke at other meetings covering such themes as Scottish Housing, Scottish Agriculture, Health, Industry and Savings.

In 1944 the main meeting was held in the New Savoy in Glasgow and Sir William Y. Darling, Chairman of the Scottish Council on Industry spoke on “Scottish Industry”; Lord Rosebery spoke in Aberdeen on “Scotland and Civil Defence”; General MacMillan spoke in Edinburgh on “The Scot in the Services” and Sir John Boyd Orr spoke at Dundee on “Scotland's Achievements in the Production of Food”. All these meetings were fully reported in the Press and broadcast by the B.B.C. in its overseas service.

In 1945 two meetings were held, one in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow. At the Edinburgh meeting the theme was “Return to Scotland” and was a symposium by members of the Forces back in Scotland. The speakers included Lieutenant Commander Campbell R.N.V.R., Sergeant Drysdale C.M.P., Nursing Officer Anderson and Wing Commander Rossie Brown. In Glasgow Dr. Gibson Aitken was the main speaker and his theme “Scottish Record”. This talk covered new developments in Scotland, in industry, health, agriculture and housing. Mr. Albert Mackie compered the Glasgow meeting. At both meetings Scottish choirs sang Scottish songs and films on Scotland were shown.

Red Army Day . In 1943 the first Red Army Day meeting was staged in Scotland. It was one of a series of meetings, the others being held in the regional capitals of Britain. The Scottish meeting was held in Glasgow, and admission was by ticket. All the Government Departments (Service and Home) collaborated and delegates from abroad and from all over the country were present. The Rt. Hon. A. Duff Cooper was the principal speaker and Mr. Johnston and Lord Rosebery also contributed. Bailie Hector McNeil represented the Lord Provost in the Chair and the U.S.S.R. was represented on the platform.

In February 1944 the second Red Army Day meeting was held, this time in Edinburgh. Sir Archibald Sinclair and Lord Rosebery were the speakers and the Lord Provost of Edinburgh was in the Chair. The Scottish Orchestra provided music.

United Nations Day . In 1943 at the request of the President of the United States a United Nations Day parade was organised in Edinburgh, the salute being taken by the G.O.C. Scottish Command, General Sir Andrew Thorne. The Parade consisted of the three Services, Civil Defence and war workers. It was the first parade in Princes Street to march in files of six and was a great success.

PRESS

The contribution made to the war effort by the newspapers of Scotland has been considerable. Despite shortage of paper and the large in-roads made on their staffs by the needs of industry and the services, they succeeded in maintaining a news service which excited the admiration of visiting journalists from all over the world. It was in an effort to ensure that the facts were made fully available to them that our weekly press conference every Friday was established at St. Andrew's House, Nearly every prominent figure visiting Scotland in the war years by this means met the press and answered their questions. Similarly, agricultural journalists attended less regular conferences to discuss the major agricultural projects with officials of the Department of Agriculture. The Secretary of State's conferences with the Scottish editors, attended by the American Ambassador, the Foreign Secretary and others, were constituted as a further measure by which the press were kept informed of national and world plans.

In addition, the Ministry in Scotland was the only Government agency outside 11 -11-London which was allowed to issue official news to the press. In the spring of 1940, a twenty-four hours service was initiated, the male members of the staff undertaking night duty on a rota system so that queries could be answered at any hour of the day or night. In these years, 11,000 press announcements were issued on the work of the Scottish Departments, the War Office and the United Kingdom Departments. The famous “Officer Observer” stories recording the happenings of the regiments in action began, through the Press Office, with stories of the 51st Division. So successful was this experiment that the other fighting units were later given permission to make similar appointments. Major James Borthwick, a young journalist, was responsible for this pioneer job, and he added to his laurels by developing a first-rate platform manner on his visits home to Scotland.

Most of the facility visits to places of wartime interest were initiated by the office, and hundreds of interviews were arranged with distinguished visitors and other people whom the press - whether individually or collectively - wished to meet.

In 1943, the office turned its attention to telling something of Scotland's story overseas. After some initial difficulties, a monthly newsletter was established. This newsletter, recounting the story of what is happening in this part of the world, was sent overseas and had a wide circulation, particularly in the United States, where it was used as a brief for speakers, news paragraphs and broadcasts. With the co-operation of Publications Division articles on many of the topics engaging the attention of the people of this country were written by Scottish writers, for journals in other parts of the world. A collection of these articles and Newsletters was made and published in book form early in 1946 under the title “Scotland's Record”.

AMERICAN RELATIONS .

The coming to Scotland of official representatives of other nations has meant that the office has had many close associations with other nations. None of these has been closer than our associations with America. An early result was the summer schools for school teachers at which Ministry speakers spoke on American history and institutions. Arising out of these, in the days before Pearl Harbour, we were able - in collaboration with the British Council - to establish a Scottish-American Centre. This centre now contains a unique library of books published only in the United States sent by friends in Boston and other cities to the Centre in Edinburgh. In return, the Centre sends books published here to America. The Centre is the only source of up-to-date information on American affairs outside London upon which teachers, students, writers and the ordinary person can draw.

Unlike other parts of Britain, Scotland had few American servicemen billeted upon her, but hundreds of thousands of them passed through Scotland on their way southwards. Every G.I. received on disembarkation a miniature newspaper entitled WELCOME, a special product of Kemsley House, Glasgow. New issues were prepared editorially and printed a few hours before the troops disembarked, giving them war and home news of the preceding five days during which they had been sailing under a radio blackout. There was almost embarrassing evidence of the troops’ appreciation of this first gesture of thoughtfulness which greeted them, literally as they stepped on to British soil. Altogether over half a million copies of the news-sheet were printed and distributed.

In the spring of 1945 we were asked if we could make plans to provide holiday accommodation in Scotland for American soldiers on leave from duty on the continent. The problem was considered in consultation with the representatives of the British Council, the W.V.S, English-Speaking Union, the American Red Cross, and the National Council of Social Service. On the suggestion of a member of the Scottish Advisory Committee, it was decided to make joint plans with the Empire Societies War Hospitality Committee to find accommodation both for American soldiers and Empire troops who were also to come to Scotland on leave. Bureaux were established in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Aberdeen and Inverness. In Glasgow through the kindness of Viscount Kemsley, a dormitory was prepared in Kemsley House, and for a period of a few months, over 450 men of the Dominions and American services enjoyed leave weeks as the non-paying guests of Kemsley Newspapers. Free meals were provided; special brochures of tours and entertainments produced for them, and arrangements made on their behalf for sight-seeing and hospitality at house parties, etc. In Perth, a lady came forward and placed her house, beautifully situated on the upper slopes of the city, at the disposal of the Ministry and 12 -6-agreed to run it as a Hostel. Over 1,000 were billeted here. A modern guide book to Perth was also prepared. In Aberdeen several offers of hostel accommodation were made, notably the Beech Dance Hall by the Canadian Legion and the Belmont Church Hall by Rev. M. Urie Baird and his Kirk Session. In Fort William and in Inverness the Empire Societies War Hospitality Committee made itself responsible for the hostel accommodation, the furniture being supplied through the agency of this Ministry by the Ministry of Works. Over 5,100 men were serviced through this organisation, improvised at four weeks’ notice. Fishing, climbing, golf, tennis, and arrangements for studying were secured for the servicemen. Bicycles, fishing tackle and sports gear were made available. In each place Committees, based on the central Committee, were established - our own District organisation playing a leading part. Largely as a result of the scheme, Scotland became one of the most popular holiday centres in the British Isles.

EXHIBITIONS .

From the very modest beginning of small photographic Exhibitions in Kilmarnock and Paisley in June and July 1940, the Exhibitions Section has had to cope with more and more ambitious shows, culminating in the Army Equipment Exhibition which covered an area of 50,000 sq.ft. and was staged in Queen's Park Recreation Ground, Glasgow, in August, 1944. More than half a million persons passed through the turnstiles of this exhibition.

On the whole, the Exhibitions have aroused appreciative interest wherever they have been shown for they have been recognised as filling a gap between meetings and films. Schools and Training Colleges are not the only places where the “visual aid method” has proved its effectiveness. The general public have appreciated having similar opportunities to study at leisure topics reviewed in this graphic manner. The attendances at recent Exhibitions indicate a growing interest in this form of education, particularly now that people have more leisure time than they have had for the last six years. The major exhibitions have been on the following subjects:- Army Equipment; Mulberry Harbour; Battle for Fuel; R.A.F. in Action; R.A.F. on the United Nations; The Evil We Fight; Colonies; Meet Canada; War against Japan.

In addition to these major Exhibitions there were also smaller exhibits on display throughout Scotland. These included the Retail Display Circuit Scheme; Picture Set Scheme; Topical Photographs Scheme; and the Window Display Scheme, - the first two of these being arranged on a circuit basis.

Large quantities of posters and photogravures were distributed.

COMMITTEES .

It was the intention of Headquarters that a Regional Advisory Committee should be set up in each Region throughout the country, as well as a local Information Committee to cover each Parliamentary Constituency. These Committees were intended to help the Ministry to keep in touch with public opinion in Scotland and in concert with the Regional Information Officer to carry out measures designed to maintain and strengthen public morale.

Scottish Advisory Committee .

Nominations were made by the main political parties and by the Scottish Trades Union Congress of representatives for this Committee. These were, Conservative(3), Liberal (3), Labour (3), Liberal National (2), National Labour (2) and the Scottish T.U.C. (2). To complete the membership of the Committee invitations were extended to National Organisations to nominate representatives. These Organisations included the Women's Voluntary Services, Association of Councils of Counties of Cities in Scotland, Convention of Royal Burghs, Association of County Councils, Federation of British Industries, Scottish Development Council, Scottish Youth Movement, National Council of Social Service and the British Legion.

The first meeting of the Committee was held on 5th July, 1940 and in all, eight meetings were held. In May, 1945 the Minister wrote to each member 13 -7-individually, notifying them of the decision reached to close down all Committees of the Ministry.

The Committee served a useful purpose in an advisory capacity. Because of the wide and varied interests represented by its members, it was most useful in helping the Ministry in Scotland to keep in line with the propaganda requirements of the public, and its political members came to the aid of the Ministry on the few occasions on which trouble may have developed politically in connection with this work.

District Committees.

It was considered by the Regional Information Officer that Committees covering the Districts into which Scotland was divided for the purpose of Civil Defence would be more useful and easier handled and Committees were set up with Headquarters at Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness and Glasgow. The composition of these Committees was similar to the Scottish Advisory Committee in that they were balanced politically and included representatives of the various Organisations which could help the Ministry in carrying out its work.

These Committees were set up in July and August, 1940 and continued to operate right throughout the war.

INTELLIGENCE

The Intelligence work of the Ministry in Scotland fell into three categories, viz.,

(1) Provision of a weekly survey of movements of opinion sent to Headquarters by telephone or teleprinter.

(2) The preparation and circulation of regular intelligence reports on specific topics.

(3) Special intelligence reports.

(4) The preparation on short notice of brief reports on special topics requested by different Departments of the Scottish Office or by Home Intelligence Division.

(1) Weekly Survey of Opinion The main sources for these surveys were :-

(a) Background information such as provided by Government Departments, Citizens Advice Bureaux, the daily and weekly press and periodicals published by Communist and other groups.

(b) A network of several hundreds of contacts up and down the country drawn from all occupations and social groups. These contacts were all personally known to the Intelligence Officer and were chosen because their work or leisure activities brought them in contact with large numbers of people.

(c) Other informal methods were used, such as attending public meetings of all kinds especially those where questions and discussion were allowed.

(2) Regular Reports In addition to the weekly teleprinter report, regular reports on specific topics were forwarded over long periods. One of the earliest reports called for concerned the reaction to M.O.I. films. After the arrival of American troops in this country monthly reports were made on how they were being received by the people. In addition reports were made regularly on the public attitude concerning reconstruction, youth and industry.

(3). Special Reports Our regular reports frequently raised topics which were worth following up. These topics were largely industrial an included surveys on the “Communists and Scottish Industrial Workers” - at the time the Communists were encouraging “an imperialist war” - “Scottish Miners”, “Dockers and Decasualisation Scheme”, “Women and War Work”, “Hondurasians in Scotland” and “Workers in the Labour Camps in the Orkneys”.

(4) Reports made on the request of other Departments or of Home Intelligence. Special reports were compiled on topics of special interest to other Scottish Government Departments such as public opinion concerning “Reconstruction”, “Health Problems”, “The New Education Bill”, “Juvenile Delinquency” and “Red Clydeside”.

Home Intelligence constantly asked for short notes and reports on reaction to fresh Government measures, to Government campaigns and to Ministry activities.

Intelligence work was officially closed down in January 1945.

EMERGENCY

The purpose of the Emergency Service was to provide a channel of communication between the Government, the military authorities or local authorities on the one hand and the public, or large sections of the public, on the other hand in time of emergency due to enemy action whether caused by heavy air raids or invasion, including seaborne or airborne raids.

In the Emergency Service as in other sections the situation was complicated by the fact that the whole of Scotland was regarded as a single region. The region was, however, divided into five Civil Defence districts each one as large in area, if not in population, as an ordinary region in England.

The Emergency Organisation was set up on lines strictly parallel with those of the Civil Defence Organisation. The base towns in each district were as follows:-

EDINBURGH - South East (Scotland) District (counties of West Lothian, Midlothian, East Lothian, Peebles, Roxburgh, Selkirk, Berwick).

DUNDEE - Eastern (Scotland) District (counties of Fife and Kinross, Perth, Angus).

ABERDEEN - North Eastern (Scotland) District (counties of Kincardine, Aberdeen, Banff, Moray, Orkney and Shetland).

INVERNESS - Northern (Scotland) District (counties of Inverness, Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland, Caithness).

GLASGOW - Western (Scotland) District (counties of Argyll, Dumbarton, Stirling, Clackmannan, Lanark, Renfrew, Bute, Ayr, Dumfries, Kirkcudbright, Wigtown).

In each of these districts the District Secretary of the Ministry was in charge of the local Emergency Service of the Ministry and stood in the same relation to the District Commissioner as the Regional Information Officer did to the Regional Commissioner. Liaison between the districts was maintained by an Emergency Officer working from Regional Headquarters.

Emergency Information Officers, who were voluntary and unpaid, were appointed to work under the District Secretaries, in each locality where either the size of the population or the circumstances warranted such an appointment. For instance, although an area might have a small population its proximity to a larger centre of population might have led to an influx of self-evacuated persons and in such a position the services of an Emergency Information Officer might well be required.

The duties of Emergency Information Officers were set out in a memorandum which was circulated to them on appointment. In addition supplementary instructions were issued from time to time in the form of monthly circular letters.

The Emergency Service was happily not often called into action in Scotland. It did, however, play an important part on three occasions, namely,

The heavy Clydeside air raids in March 1941.

The heavy Clydeside air raids in May, 1941.

The sharp raid on Aberdeen in April, 1943.

The Clydebank raid was, of course, Scotland's first experience of blitz attack. Hardly one of the 10,000 dwelling-houses in the town was left untouched after the two raids of 9 and 7½ hours duration and by the evening of the second day, half the population had left the town. All the public utility services were seriously damaged.

Our primary job, as in other raids, was to convey through loudspeaker vans, posters, etc., official messages to the public and to act in liaison with the press and the B.B.C. But in fact our first job was to give a hand in getting services into operation. As many services were not ready it was impossible to give firm information and vague messages would only have added to the confusion. The local machine had broken down; there was no Administrative Centre and little or no staff for the Rest Centres. With the assistance of voluntary workers, the M.O.I. team set up an Administrative Centre which eased the position considerably.

Messages were issued by van and poster. The loudspeaker vans continued to operate daily for a fortnight, and film shows were put on in the Rest Centres for the entertainment of the homeless.

The loudspeaker service was also used to a considerable extent after the Greenock raid in May, 1941 and after the Aberdeen raid of April 1943.

There were, of course, many other examples of enemy action in Scotland but in no case were large sections of the public concerned, and the widespread dissemination of information and advice was not necessary in such cases.

Although the Emergency Information Service was organised to function down to the lowest level of the Civil Defence Services it was never believed that the local Emergency Information Officers could function, or continue to function, unassisted in a severe emergency over a prolonged period. They were therefore encouraged to appoint deputies and to have a sufficient number of announcers to operate in relays. Apart from this, however, it was planned to have a “blitz” team proceed from the Regional Headquarters to any area found to be in a state of emergency. This team consisted of Senior Officers and carried with it stationery including a portable duplicating machine, typewriters, etc.

One of the Headquarters Senior Officers acted as Liaison Officer at the Headquarters of the Regional Commissioner.

An important part was played by loudspeaker vehicles. Such vehicles were held, therefore, at strategic points throughout Scotland. Some of them were Ministry owned cars, others were privately owned cars or commercial vehicles which were earmarked for service in emergency.

VISITORS.

Each year throughout the war, Their Majesties the King and Queen visited Scotland. Their tours lasted for three or four days at a time and most of the work-people in the major industries of the country had an opportunity of seeing for themselves the deep interest the King and Queen took in the country's war effort. On all occasions, the office was responsible for the press and newsreel publicity. Despite difficulties of security, the various centres of industry, with few exceptions, offered the office their co-operation in securing adequate facilities for newspaper representatives.

During the war years the Ministry has been responsible for the entertainment of a large number of distinguished visitors to this country.

When these visitors came north to Scotland their tours became the responsibility of the Regional Information Officer and the itineraries were arranged by the 16 -10-Glasgow Sub-Office for the Western District and by the Regional Office for the remainder of the country. The tours were arranged so that the visitors saw the particular aspect or aspects of the British war effort in which they were interested, facilities being provided for them visiting shipyards, factories, farms, etc., as were appropriate. In addition many of them took advantage of their stay in Scotland to see some of the places of historical or other interest.

In fixing these tours care had to be taken to ensure that travelling was made as easy as possible for the visitors, that suitable accommodation was reserved for them at the various centres, that they came into contact with people having common interests and that they received a true picture of how the country was faring under war time conditions.

Over 200 visits of a special character were arranged for these men and women. At times a visitor came alone, at other times the parties numbered as many as ten - and included important guests from all parts of the Empire, the U.S.A. and other Allied countries as well as British Officials stationed out with the United Kingdom. Visitors also included Mrs. Roosevelt; Members of Parliament from all the Dominions; a Goodwill Mission from China, one of whose members broadcast his impressions of the Clyde; Mr. Leonard Brockington the Canadian broadcaster; Press Delegations from Turkey, Iraq, Norway, South America and many other countries; Senators and Congressmen of the U.S.A.; Edward G. Robinson of films fame and Stanley High of the “Readers Digest”. As a result many columns of overseas newspapers were filled with articles on the subject of Scotland's war effort. In 1943 Mr. Brendan Bracken, then Minister of Information made an official visit.