3. (a) REGIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

In April 1940 the Ministry announced that Advisory Committees were to be set up in the Regions.

The formation of an Advisory Committee for the Southern Region was discussed by the R.I.O. and agents of the three Political Parties at a preliminary meeting at Reading on May 10th. From August until the following June the full Committee of twenty-two members, representing such organisations as the W.V.S., N.U.J., B.B.C., as well as the three political Parties, met every month to discuss the Regional work of the Ministry, point out what they considered its weaknesses, and suggest improvements in its organisation. One criticism which they levelled against the Ministry was its “failure” sufficiently to recognise the place of propaganda in modern warfare. They considered that its main function was propaganda rather than information and urged closer co-operation towards that end with all Departments. Brighter public meetings were advocated and a more effective distribution of literature was suggested.

The main difficulty faced by half the members of the Committee was the distance which they had to travel from their homes to Reading every month, a difficulty which naturally increased as the call for economy in the use of petrol became more insistent. From June 1941 the meetings of the Committee became less frequent and ceased after a meeting in July 1942. The R.A.C. was officially disbanded on 12th June, 1945, with thanks from Mr, Brendan Bracken for services rendered.