288

SECRET
POLICY COMMITTEE
11th July 1940

Present:

Minister

D.G.

D.D.G.

D.S.

P.S.

Lord Perth

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Kirkpatrick

Mr. Macadam

Mr. Wellington

P.P.S.

Mr. Gates

Mr. Hodson

Mr. Ogilvie

Mr. Valentine Williams

Mr. Willert

Mr. Wiltshire (Secretary)

1. FORMATIOLN OF BUREAUX

Mr. Hodson referred to his paper (already circulated). The question of a director was discussed. A name was suggested, but it was mentioned that both Sir Miles Lampson and General Sir Archibald Wavell had objected. Mr. Kirkpatrick thought that the Ambassador would probably view the whole scheme with suspicion on the grounds that he would not wish to have an organisation in Cairo working only partially under his control, and if wholly under his control he would have to accept control of India and other parts of the world about which he was not concerned. The position might be put to him on the basis that such an organisation might enhance the value and importance of the Mission in Egypt, and it was agreed that a telegram should be prepared for him putting this point of view.

Mr. Ogilvie referred to the position of the Empire in broadcasting and said that he had the impression that insufficient emphasis was at present being laid on the contribution of the Empire as distinguished from that of the British Isles. The theme of our war effort frequently introduced the Empire as a kind of appendix. He suggested various measures, including an invitation to Mr. Mackenzie King to talk to this country, and it was mentioned that General Smuts had been asked to do the same. Sir Kenneth Clark called attention to the Empire campaign which was just about to be inaugurated, and pointed out that Sir William Crawford, who was drawing it up, had relied very largely on the element of broadcasting. This would be pursued with the B.B.C.

2. RED CROSS PROPOSALS FOR SUPPLYING FOOD TO OCCUPIED COUNTRIES

Mr. Tree referred to the paper circulated. He said that since the paper had been prepared the Head of the American Red Cross, Mr. Norman Davies, had informed Mr. Bruce by telephone that the President had not wished the proposal to be pressed if we objected.

It was pointed out that appropriate publicity should be considered to explain our opposition to what at first seemed merely humanitarian action. We should call attention to the German statements that they had plenty of food: we should also collect together evidence of the plundering of food supplies in occupied territory, such as Denmark, and of the impossibility of preventing food sent even into unoccupied France from getting into German hands. It was also thought that we should supply this material to prominent men such as Mr. Edgar Mower and others. A telegram should be drafted to Lord Lothian explaining our policy and 289 asking for suggestions as to how it should best be conveyed [illegible] U.S.A. This telegram should also be shown to the Ministry of Economic Warfare and we should pay attention to the proper presentation of our view in South America as well as in the United States.

HAVAS-REUTER

The Director General explained the present position. Mr. Chancellor was to go to South America and meet Mr. Grubb at Panama or elsewhere. It was not expected that the Havas contracts could be changed, but we should endeavour to get the newspapers to accept Globe-Reuter. Sir Roderick Jones had suggested that another man should be sent from London to stay in South America after having assisted Mr. Chancellor to make the preliminary enquiries and to get on with the arrangements when he had returned.

PROPAGANDA IN PORTUGAL

Mr. Kirkpatrick said that he had come to the conclusion that we could spend more money with advantage. He thought that the suggestion that there should be a “Continental Daily Mail” was very important. We might also subsidise the local English daily paper. He was somewhat doubtful whether much could be done by putting these proposals to Sir Walford Selby, and he proposed to send Mr. Burns forthwith. It was agreed that Mr. Burns should see the Films Division before he went.

5. COMMUNIST PROPAGANDA

The Deputy Secretary referred to a point made by the Swinton Committee the day before, that although they had no definite information of an increase in the Communist movement in this country, there was evidence that skilful propaganda was being put about, designed to make a general attack on order. Suggestions were made tending to throw all organisations into discredit and measures were suggested which would upset orderly work and create confusion and waste of effort under the guise of removing bureaucratic restrictions on the war effort. Mr. Macadam mentioned that the subject could be discussed at the meeting of the Party organisers today and suggested that Sir Kenneth Clark should attend it for the purpose.