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SECRET
POLICY COMMITTE.
Thursday, 22nd August, 1940.

Present

The Minister

D G.

Sir Walter Monckton

Colonel Scorgie

Mr. Nicolson

Sir Maurice Peterson

Mr. Macadam

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Wellington

Mr. Kirkpatrick

Mr. Harvey

Mr. Peake

Mr. Tree

Mr. Gates

Mr. Wiltshire (Secretaries)

Mr. Waddell

Mr. Ogilvie

Sir Stephen Tallents

Mr. Ryan

Mr. Barman

1. REUTERS - L.E.F. IN LATIN AM ERICA, EUROPE AND THE NEAR EAST

The papers circulated were discussed. It was appreciated that there would be some competition between Reuters and L.E.F. and this was thought to be desirable so long as the competition could be kept on healthy lines. The present composite service was thought to be quite inadequate in quantity, and the meeting agreed in principle that arrangements should be made for an increase to 12,000 words. It was agreed that the Director- General should see Sir Roderick Jones and the representatives of L.E.F. as soon as possible and arrange for the increased joint service. Sir Maurice Peterson reported that he had been in consultation with the Foreign Office and that Lord Lothian had been approached. His views would be known very shortly, but it was known already that the Reuters-L.E.F. Service would be welcomed in certain parts of the Balkans, where the service of British news was poor in comparison with the services controlled by Vichy and Berlin.

In the course of discussion, Mr. Ogilvie and Sir Stephen Tallents recalled earlier discussions which had taken place about the improvement of Reuters services. In the view of the B.B.C. the present news service from Latin America was woefully inadequate, and it was pointed out that the service now in course of development would be a two-way service and a great improvement in the quantity and content of news from Latin America could be looked for. Mr. Ogilvie made the point that the scheme should cover from the beginning rights (a) for re-broadcasting, and (b) for re-publication, so that it would be unnecessary to enter into bargaining later, when in all probability it would prove more costly to obtain our needs. It was agreed that this would be desirable and the Director-General promised that the B.B.C. would be consulted and given the opportunity of stating their point of view before negotiations were concluded.

On the general question of the improvement of Reuter services, reference was made by Sir Stephen Tallents to a report which had been prepared some time ago setting out suggestions for improvement, and the Director-General asked that this Report should be made available to him so that he might discuss it with the B.B.C. and then approach Sir Roderick Jones with a view to improvements.

2. PUBLICITY ABOUT THE FOOD SITUATION IN EUROPE .

The paper circulated was discussed. The Minister said he thought more emphasis should be laid on the fact that the Germans were themselves using the weapon of blockade, and were boasting about it (Item 11 on p. 3 of the paper). Mr. Nicolson explained the intention of Dr. Dalton and the Ministry of Economic Warfare in approving the paper. The Ministry of Economic Warfare were anxious that too much should not be said in home propaganda because it appeared unnecessary to do more than disseminate the Prime Minister's statement, and it was not desired to have a “campaign” running. It seemed adequate also for purposes of propaganda abroad to follow a gradual line, particularly in America (Item 10 on p.3 of the paper). A careful eye would be kept on the situation in America during the coming winter, and comment would be made only where necessary.

The Ministry of Economic Warfare desired that the B.B.C. should have a copy of the paper, and that their talks should conform to the lines laid down in it, and it was proposed that it should be issued also to Press Attachés and to R.I.Os., who would keep it by them for use should occasion arise. The Minister mentioned that he had taken this line in meeting the Editors last week, and it was agreed that the results in the press had been very satisfactory.

Sir Maurice Peterson suggested the use of the term “occupied territory” instead of “enslaved area” and this was generally agreed. He also drew attention to an alteration in the paper which would be required in view of the Prime Minister's statement the previous day. It would not now be correct to say that “the possibility is excluded of a declaration by the Government that we will not only permit, but will actively arrange in advance, for the entry of food into any part of the enslaved areas when this part at least has been wholly cleared of German forces and has genuinely regained its freedom”. It was agreed that the wording of this part of the paper must be altered before distribution.

3. OTHER BUSINESS

Sir Maurice Peterson referred to a note in that morning's “Times” about German broadcasts of the names of British prisoners. He said that he thought the Air Ministry Orders made an unnecessary reference to German propaganda. The Minister agreed that the impression was conveyed by the note that we were slightly afraid of German propaganda; some other form of words would have been equally effective.