425

C.C.
POLICY COMMITTEE
Thursday, 22nd May 1941 .

Present:

D.G.

D.D.G.

P.S.

Sir Maurice Peterson

Lord Davidson

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Radcliffe

Mr. Bamford

Mr. Gates

Mr. Macgregor

Mr. Ogilvie

Sir Noel Ashbridge

Mr. Ryan

Mr. Valentine Williams

Mr. Herbert

Mr. Waddell (Secretary)

1. The minutes of the meeting on 15th May were taken as read and approved.

2. Broadcasting Stations in the Mediterranean. The Paper circulated was discussed and Mr. Macgregor reported that the Radio Corporation of America were understood to have informed us that Westinghouse had almost ready a 50 kw. transmitter which it was thought might be useful for Palestine. It was agreed that enquiries about this transmitter should be pursued and that it should be secured if possible.

[RC/31/35]

With regard to Gibraltar, Malta, Crete and Cyprus, Sir Noel Ashbridge said that he felt we ought to take steps to secure 5 kw. transmitters which could be ready soon and would not need any considerable building or engineering works for their installation. They would be useful at least to the extent of putting the enemy to inconvenience in jamming them and it was likely that a certain proportion of the material broadcast would be effective. The cost of each transmitter might be estimated roughly at three to four thousand pounds. It was agreed

(a) that Mr. Macgregor should prepare a draft letter for the D.G. to send to the Chiefs of Staff to enquire whether there would be any Service objection to the establishment 426 -2-of the transmitters at these places (it was noted that the position in regard to Malta had been cleared some time ago);

(b) that the D.G. should write to Sir James Grigg to enquire about a suggestion that a number of small transmitters nearing completion by the R.C.A. had been bought for “the British Army”;

(c) that when it was clear that there would be no objection from the Chiefs of Staff we should write to the Colonial Office to ensure that they would give the necessary executive instructions through the Crown Agents to Messrs. Preece Cardew & Rider.

3. Station in the Red Sea . It was understood from Sir Maurice Peterson that a stronger transmitter than Aden in the Red Sea region was scarcely necessary.

[RC/209]

4. Film Magazine. (Minute No.2. of Executive Board, 21st May, 1941). The D.G. referred to the discussion at the Executive Board on the previous day. Sir Kenneth Clark said that on reflection he felt grave doubts about the assurance of distribution of the magazine, about the suitability of the form proposed and about the cost. Lord Davidson agreed, and it was decided not to proceed with the scheme. Lord Davidson said he would inform the Films Division.

[F/369]