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T H I S DOCUMENT I S T H E P R O P E R T Y OF H I S BRITANNIC M A J E S T V S GOVERNMENT"
Printed
for the War Cabinet.
February
1944.
SECRET
CopyJSo.
W . M . (44)
2 6 t h Conclusions.
WAR CABINET 2 6 ( 4 4 ) .
CONCLUSIONS
of a Meeting of the War Cabinet held at 1 0 Downing
S.W. 1, on Monday, 28th February, 1 9 4 4 , at 6 p.m.
Street.
Present:
T h e R i g h t H o n . W I N S T O N S. C H U R C H I L L , M . P . , P r i m e M i n i s t e r (in the
for
Items
T h e R i g h t H o n . C. R . A T T L E E , M . P . ,
L o r d P r e s i d e n t of t h e Council (in
the Chair for Item 1 1 ) . .
The R i g h t Hon. Sir J O H N ANDERSON,
M . P . , Chancellor of t h e E x c h e q u e r .
The R i g h t H o n . O L I V E R LYTTELTON,
M . P . , M i n i s t e r of P r o d u c t i o n .
Chair
1-10).
The Right Hon. ANTHONY EDEN, M.P.,
Secretary of S t a t e for F o r e i g n
Affairs.
The Right Hon. E R N E S T BEVIN, M.P.,
M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r a n d N a t i o n a l
Service.
The R i g h t H o n . HERBERT MORRISON,
M . P . , S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for t h e
H o m e D e p a r t m e n t a n d M i n i s t e r of
H o m e Security.
The R i g h t H o n . LORD WOOLTON,
M i n i s t e r of Reconstruction.
T h e following w e r e also p r e s e n t :
T h e R i g h t H o n . S. M . B R U C E , R e p r e ­
s e n t a t i v e of t h e G o v e r n m e n t of t h e
C o m m o n w e a l t h of A u s t r a l i a
(Items
The H o n . W . NASH, Deputy P r i m e
M i n i s t e r of t h e D o m i n i o n of N e w
Zealand.
1-10).
The R i g h t H o n . VISCOUNT SIMON,
L o r d Chancellor (Items 7^8).
T h e R i g h t H o n . L O R D BEAVERBROOK.
L o r d P r i v y Seal.
The Right Hon. Sir J A M E S GRIGG,
M . P . , S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r .
T h e R i g h t H o n . V I S C O U N T CRANBORNE,S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for D o m i n i o n
Affairs.
The R i g h t H o n . A. V . ALEXANDER,
M . P . , F i r s t L o r d of t h e A d m i r a l t y .
The
Right
H o n . S i r ARCHIBALD
SINCLAIR,
Bt.,
M.P.,
Secretary
of
State for A i r .
T h e R i g h t H o n . S i r STAFFORD C R I P P S ,
K . C . , M . P . , M i n i s t e r of A i r c r a f t
Production.
T h e R i g h t H o n . R. A . BUTLER, M . P . ,
The R i g h t Hon. H . U . W I L L I N K , K.C.,
The Right H o n . LORD , LEATHERS,
M i n i s t e r of W a r T r a n s p o r t
(Items
M . P . , M i n i s t e r of H e a l t h (Item
6).'
P r e s i d e n t of t h e B o a r d of E d u c a t i o n .
6-9).
Colonel
the
Right
Hon.
LLEWELLIN, M.P., Minister
J.
of
J.
Food
(Item 9 ) .
The R i g h t H o n . BRENDAN BRACKEN,
M . P . , M i n i s t e r of I n f o r m a t i o n .
The
Right
H o n . LORD
PORTAL,
M i n i s t e r of W o r k s (Item 6 ) .
T h e R i g h t H o n . t h e E A R L O F SELBORNE,
Minister
of Economic
Warfare
(Item 9 ) :
The R i g h t Hon. RICHARD L A W , M.P., The Right H o n . LORD CHERWELL,
Paymaster-General.
M i n i s t e r of S t a t e (Item 9 ) .
[27057-1]
.
The E i g h t H o n . S i r DONALD SOMER- I Sir DAVID MAXWELL F Y F E , K . C . , M.P.,
Solicitor-General (Items 7 - 8 ) .
VELL, K . C . , M . P . , A t t o r n e y - G e n e r a l
(Items 7 - 8 ) .
T h e E i g h t H o n . J A M E S STUART, M . P , ,
Joint
Parliamentary
T r e a s u r y (Item 1 1 ) .
Sir
ORME
SARGENT,
Secretary,
Deputy
Under-
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for F o r e i g n
Affairs (Items 1 - 9 ) .
M a r s h a l of t h e A i r Force S i r C H A R L E S
The Eight Hon. W . WHITELEY,
M.P.,
Joint
Parliamentary
Secretary,
T r e a s u r y (Item 1 1 ) .
A d m i r a l of t h e F l e e t S i r A N D R E W
CUNNINGHAM,
First
Sea
Lord
Chief of N a v a l Staff (Items
and
1-6).
F i e l d - M a r s h a l S i r A L A N BROOKE, C h i e f
F . A . P O R T A L , Chief of t h e A i r Staff
of t h e I m p e r i a l G e n e r a l Staff
(Items 1 - 6 ) .
1-6).
Secretariat
(Items
:
Sir EDWARD BRIDGES.
Lieutenant-General Sir HASTINGS L. ISMAY.
Sir GILBERT LAITHWAITE.
M r . W . S. M U R R I E .
M r . L. F . B U R G I S .
W A R C A B I N E T 26 ( 4 4 ) .
CONTENTS.
Minute
No.
1
2
Subject.
Mr. N a s h
Naval, Military a n d Air Operations
....
....
....
Air Operations:
H o m e Theatre.
Mediterranean Theatre.
Pacific.
Naval Operations:
Pacific.
Military Operations:
Italy
Burma.
Russia.
3
.
Italy
;
-
4
....
....
;
Page
123
123
124
Proposals arising out of consideration of the future of t h e Italian
Fleet.
F o r e i g n Affairs....
....
....
....
....
124
....
124
Finland,
i ' Poland.
Spain.
Italy.
Argentine."
5
Air Raids
'.'
....
Casualties and Damage.
6
Civil Defence
­
....
124
Use of Deep Shelters.
7
Civil C l a i m s a g a i n s t M e m b e r s of t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s F o r c e s
126
8
A p p l i c a t i o n of A l l i e d P o w e r s ( M a r i t i m e C o u r t s ) Act, 1 9 4 1 ,
to France
....
....
....
126
Food Problems in Liberated Europe
9
10
Army Benevolent F u n d
11
S e r v i c e P a y a n d A l l o w a n c e s ....
....
....
....
....
....
....
127
....
....
127
....
....
127
Mr. Nash.
L T h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r e x t e n d e d a welcome, on behalf of t h e
W a r Cabinet, to M r . N a s h , who w a s now on a visit to t h i s country.
2. T h e Chiefs of Staff r e p o r t e d the p r i n c i p a l events of t h e
previous week.
Operations.
So f a r as a i r o p e r a t i o n s were concerned, the week h a d been t h e
(Previous
most active of the whole w a r , 20,000 sorties h a v i n g been flown;
Reference:
9,058 tons of bombs h a d been d r o p p e d on G e r m a n y alone.
W.M.(44)23rd
Bomber C o m m a n d h a d a t t a c k e d S c h w e i n f u r t a n d A u g s b u r g ,
Conclusions,
following d a y l i g h t a t t a c k s on these cities by U n i t e d States a i r c r a f t .
Minute 1.)
I n a d d i t i o n , U n i t e d S t a t e s bombers h a d a t t a c k e d R e g e n s b u r g ,
Air Operations. Rostock, F u r t h a n d G o t h a w i t h good results.
Home Theatre
^ ^hat the G e r m a n c a p a c i t y for a i r c r a f t p r o d u c ­
" ' tion h a d been considerably reduced as a result of the combined
U n i t e d K i n g d o m a n d U n i t e d S t a t e s a i r offensive, c u l m i n a t i n g i n
the a t t a c k s c a r r i e d o u t d u r i n g the previous week.
" Crossbow " t a r g e t s h a d been a t t a c k e d .
E n e m y losses for the week, i n c l u d i n g claims by t h e U n i t e d
S t a t e s A i r Forces, a m o u n t e d to 348 destroyed, 86 probably destroyed
a n d 155 d a m a g e d . O u r losses included 63 R A P . bombers a n d
165 U n i t e d States bombers.
T h e enemy h a d lost 22 a i r c r a f t destroyed, 5 probably destroyed
a n d 6 d a m a g e d in r a i d s on t h i s country, while 7 f u r t h e r a i r c r a f t h a d
been destroyed by i n t r u d e r s across the C h a n n e l .
Mediterranean.
W e a t h e r h a d i n t e r f e r e d w i t h our activity i n s u p p o r t of the l a n d
battle, b u t t a r g e t s i n S o u t h e r n G e r m a n y a n d t h e B a l k a n s h a d been
attacked. I n the M e d i t e r r a n e a n the enemy h a d lost 272 a n d t h e
Allies 141 a i r c r a f t .
Pacific.
I t w a s considered t h a t J a p a n e s e a i r resistance i n t h e N e w
I r e l a n d a n d N e w B r i t a i n a r e a h a d collapsed. Some 40 enemy
m e r c h a n t vessels (most of t h e m large) h a d been sunk a n d a number
of o t h e r s damaged.
Naval
Confirmed s h i p p i n g losses by enemy action for t h e week
Operations.
a m o u n t e d to 28,349 tons, i n c l u d i n g belated reports.
February
losses so f a r a m o u n t e d to 67,042 tons.
D u r i n g F e b r u a r y 12 G e r m a n U-boats h a d been destroyed a n d
4 p r o b a b l y destroyed.
. Since its f o r m a t i o n t h e Second E s c o r t G r o u p h a d destroyed
17 U-boats, of w h i c h the C o m m a n d i n g Officer h a d sunk 12 w i t h h i s
own s h i p . .
Pacific.
T h e J a p a n e s e m a i n fleet h a d a b a n d o n e d T r u k as a fleet base.
I n a n a t t a c k on G u a m by a i r c r a f t from a U n i t e d States c a r r i e r
135 J a p a n e s e a i r c r a f t h a d been claimed as destroyed for the loss of
6 U n i t e d States a i r c r a f t .
Military
D u r i n g the previous week the fighting h a d not been very severe
Operations.
on t h e A n z i o b r i d g e h e a d front, b u t a n early a t t a c k by the enemy
Italy.
w a s expected. O w i n g to t h e size of t h e force i n the b r i d g e h e a d , t h i s
command would in f u t u r e be k n o w n as the Allied B r i d g e h e a d
Force. O n the m a i n f r o n t t h e r e h a d been n o t h i n g to r e p o r t .
Burma.
' T h e s i t u a t i o n on t h e B u r m a front h a d improved considerably
a n d t h e J a p a n e s e h a d suffered a very l a r g e n u m b e r of casualties.
Naval, Military
and Air
w
a
s
D e n e v e (
0
Russia.
The Prime Minister said t h a t he h a d i n m i n d to make a state­
ment to the H o u s e of Commons in t h e n e a r f u t u r e r e g a r d i n g t h e
s i t u a t i o n o n . t h i s front.
T h e R u s s i a n s h a d m a d e considerable advances along the whole
of t h e N o r t h e r n p a r t of t h e front from L a k e P e i p u s to n e a r Novo
Sokolniki. I t looked as t h o u g h the enemy i n t e n d e d to effect a
' considerable w i t h d r a w a l i n t h i s sector.
The W a r
Cabinet-
Took note of these s t a t e m e n t s .
[27057-1]
B
2
Italy.
Proposals arising
out of considera­
tion of the
future of the
Italian Fleet.
3. The Prime Minister gave the W a r C a b i n e t i n f o r m a t i o n as
t o t h e l a t e s t p o s i t i o n in r e g a r d to t h e p r o p o s a l w h i c h h a d been
m a d e to meet the request of the Soviet G o v e r n m e n t t h a t c e r t a i n
I t a l i a n ships should be h a n d e d over for t h e i r use.
A record is contained i n t h e S e c r e t a r y ' s S t a n d a r d F i l e of W a r
C a b i n e t Conclusions.
(Previous
Reference:
W.M.(44)16th
Conclusions,
Minute 2.)
Foreign Affairs.
(Previous
Reference:
W.M.(44)23rd
Conclusions,
Minute 3.)
Finland.
Poland.
4. The Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs gave t h e W a r
C a b i n e t i n f o r m a t i o n about t h e m a i n issues i n the field of foreign
affairs.
T h e F i n n i s h s i t u a t i o n seemed to be developing satisfactorily.
A s r e g a r d s the P o l i s h - R u s s i a n s i t u a t i o n , our A m b a s s a d o r w a s
to see P r e m i e r S t a l i n t h a t day. M e a n w h i l e , the P o l i s h Govern­
m e n t h a d not helped m a t t e r s by t h e s t a t e m e n t s w h i c h they h a d p u t
o u t i n t h i s country.
Spain.
T h e discussions w i t h t h e S p a n i s h G o v e r n m e n t w e r e p r o c e e d i n g
satisfactorily.
Italy.
The Prime
Minister
informed the W a r Cabinet t h a t the
P r e s i d e n t h a d a g r e e d t h a t any c h a n g e i n t h e I t a l i a n G o v e r n m e n t
should a w a i t developments in t h e m i l i t a r y s i t u a t i o n .
Argentine.
(Previous
Reference:
W.M.(44)13th
Conclusions,
Minute 3.)
The Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e
s i t u a t i o n t h a t h a d a r i s e n i n t h e A r g e n t i n e , w h i c h w a s obscure, w a s
still u n d e r e x a m i n a t i o n , a n d t h a t h e could not yet m a k e a n y
s t a t e m e n t about it.
Air Raids,
5. The Home Secretary and Minister of Home Security
made
a r e p o r t to t h e W a r C a b i n e t on t h e a i r r a i d s t h a t h a d t a k e n place
i n L o n d o n between the 21st a n d 2 5 t h F e b r u a r y .
T h e r a i d on t h e 2 1 s t / 2 2 n d F e b r u a r y , c a r r i e d out by 26 a i r c r a f t ,
h a d been of m i n o r i m p o r t a n c e ; very extensive f l a r e - d r o p p i n g h a d
been a f e a t u r e of it. T h e r a i d s on t h e t h r e e following n i g h t s h a d
been i n m a n y respects s i m i l a r to one a n o t h e r . E a c h of these r a i d s
h a d been c a r r i e d o u t by 100 to 150 a i r c r a f t , m a n y different types
h a y i n g been employed. C a s u a l t i e s l a s t week a n d t h e p r e c e d i n g
week h a d been as follows :—-
Casualties and
Damage.
(Previous
Reference:
W.M.(44)25th
Conclusions,
Minute 1.)
T h e W a r C a b i n e t -
Took note of these s t a t e m e n t s . Week
21st-28th Feb.
Killed
Seriously i n j u r e d
Slightly i n j u r e d
314
556
392
Week
14th-21st Feb.
371
1,016
500
The W a r C a b i n e t A g r e e d t h a t t h e m o n t h ' s c a s u a l t y figures, w h i c h i n t h e
n o r m a l course w e r e due for release i n the i m m e d i a t e f u t u r e ,
should be published.
Civil D e f e n c e .
Use of Deep
Shelters.
6. T h e W a r C a b i n e t h a d before t h e m a M e m o r a n d u m by t h e
H o m e S e c r e t a r y a n d M i n i s t e r of H o m e S e c u r i t y ( W . P . (44) 135) on
D e e p Tube Shelters. T h e M e m o r a n d u m set o u t t h e p r e s e n t p o s i t i o n
i n r e g a r d t o these shelters, t h e i r n u m b e r s , a n d the accommodation
they afforded. A s a r e s u l t of recent r a i d s , t h e r e h a d been a s h a r p
increase in t h e p r e s s u r e on shelter accommodation, w h i c h w a s
a g g r a v a t e d by the removal of c e r t a i n of t h e b u n k accommodation
from tube shelters.
T h e r e s u l t a n t congestion a t c e r t a i n t u b e
shelters h a d led to p r e s s u r e , e n c o u r a g e d by sections of t h e P r e s s ,
for t h e o p e n i n g of t h e deep shelters. T h e accommodation i n those
shelters h a d been p r o v i d e d t o m e e t the need felt a t t h e end of 1940
for shelters i n w h i c h people could spend the whole of t h e n i g h t .
T h e recent r a i d s h a d been short a n d s h a r p a n d t h e deep shelters
h a d n o t been b u i l t for t h i s contingency. Moreover, of the e i g h t deep
shelters, one w a s i n o c c u p a t i o n by m i l i t a r y staffs a n d t w o o t h e r s
were being a d a p t e d for t h e accommodation of O p e r a t i o n a l Staffs.
T h e Civil Defence C o m m i t t e e h a d a g r e e d t h a t i t w o u l d be desirable
t h a t all the deep shelters should be so reserved, w h i l e the Defence
C o m m i t t e e (Operations) had' decided t h a t i n the allocation of
accommodation i n deep t u b e shelters p r i o r i t y m u s t be given to t h e
m a i n t e n a n c e of the m a c h i n e r y of Government.
The Home Secretary and Minister of Home Security s a i d t h a t ,
looking a t t h e m a t t e r from t h e p o i n t of view of t h e shelter accommo­
d a t i o n available, t h e r e w a s no need to t a k e these shelters i n t o use.
H e d e p r e c a t e d a n y t h i n g t h a t would e n c o u r a g e the development of
the deep shelter m e n t a l i t y , a n d d r e w a t t e n t i o n to t h e possible effect
on morale of Civil Defence w o r k e r s of e n c o u r a g i n g it. On a review
of the whole position, he recommended t h a t t h e deep shelters should
not be opened to t h e p u b l i c a n d t h a t a n e x p l a n a t i o n of the r e a s o n s
u n d e r l y i n g t h i s decision should be given.
The Prime Minister
suggested t h a t , if t h e p r e s e n t r a i d s were
continued, a n d these shelters w e r e k n o w n to exist, b u t the accommo­
d a t i o n w a s n o t m a d e available, there w a s a risk of s t r o n g public
criticism. W o u l d i t n o t be possible to allow t h e p u b l i c to u s e t h e m
t e m p o r a r i l y a n d to close or e m p t y t h e m a t t h e a p p r o p r i a t e t i m e ?
H e also t h o u g h t t h a t t h e effect on morale of t h e o p e n i n g of these
deep shelters could be e x a g g e r a t e d .
The Home Secretary and Minister of Home Security s a i d t h a t
t h e possibility of a l l o w i n g t h e public to use these shelters
t e m p o r a r i l y , a n d t h e r e a f t e r r e q u i r i n g t h e m to vacate, h a d been most
carefully e x a m i n e d ; b u t all e x p e r t o p i n i o n w a s a g r e e d t h a t i t w o u l d
n o t be p r a c t i c a b l e to do so a n d t h a t very serious difficulties w o u l d
follow any a t t e m p t to a p p l y such a policy. A d m i t t e d l y , the a m o u n t
of shelter accommodation in issue w a s small i n r e l a t i o n to t h e t o t a l
p o p u l a t i o n t o be c a t e r e d for. B u t he a t t a c h e d i m p o r t a n c e to t h e
q u e s t i o n of morale, a n d to a v o i d i n g a n y t h i n g t h a t w o u l d e n c o u r a g e
t h e e x i s t i n g p r e j u d i c e a g a i n s t street shelters, or t e n d to develop
t h e deep d u g o u t m e n t a l i t y . A q u e s t i o n h a d now been p u t d o w n i n
t h e H o u s e of Commons for to-morrow a n d he w a s anxious, if t h e
p r e s e n t policy w a s a p p r o v e d , to give in reply to i t a r e a l justification
of the policy w h i c h he w a s a d v o c a t i n g . H e outlined the t e r m s of
h i s p r o p o s e d reply.
The Prime Minister s a i d t h a t , while he still felt some doubt as
t o the course proposed, he would n o t press his p o i n t of view.
A f t e r f u r t h e r discussion, the W a r C a b i n e t —
E n d o r s e d t h e proposals of t h e H o m e S e c r e t a r y a n d
M i n i s t e r of H o m e Security, as c o n t a i n e d i n W . P . (44) 135,
a n d agreed as t o t h e t e r m s of the reply to be given i n
P a r l i a m e n t , subject to t h e omission of t h e reference t o
' ' f o r t h c o m i n g offensive ' ' a n d t h e s u b s t i t u t i o n t h e r e f o r of
some such w o r d s as " essential m i l i t a r y p u r p o s e s . "
Civil Claims
against
M e m b e r s of t h e
United States
Forces.
7. T h e W a r C a b i n e t h a d before t h e m a M e m o r a n d u m by the
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for F o r e i g n Affairs ( W . P . (44) 133) s e t t i n g o u t
p r o p o s e d a r r a n g e m e n t s for d e a l i n g w i t h civil claims a g a i n s t
members of the U n i t e d S t a t e s Forces. A t t a c h e d to t h e Memo­
r a n d u m w a s a d r a f t s t a t e m e n t w h i c h would be m a d e in t h e H o u s e
of Commons if the a r r a n g e m e n t s w e r e a p p r o v e d . '
T h e m a i n proposals in the M e m o r a n d u m w e r e :-—
(i) H i s M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t should assume responsibility
for the settlement a n d p a y m e n t of claims a r i s i n g o u t of
traffic accidents, accidental shootings, a c c i d e n t a l explo­
sions, loss of or d a m a g e to chattels in premises
r e q u i s i t i o n e d by U n i t e d S t a t e s Forces, a n d c e r t a i n o t h e r
accidents, such as those caused by p r a c t i c e gun-fires a n d
fires i n billets. R e s p o n s i b i l i t y would be l i m i t e d to
claims a r i s i n g on a n d after the 19th M a r c h , a n d claims
would be accepted only if they arose out of acts or
omissions of U n i t e d S t a t e s Forces in the course of t h e i r
military duties;
(ii) H i s M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t should accept responsibility
for p a y m e n t , b u t not for t h e e x a m i n a t i o n , of a n y out­
s t a n d i n g claims of the k i n d r e f e r r e d to in (i) a n d t h e
A m e r i c a n s should be u r g e d to clear u p these claims
s a t i s f a c t o r i l y a n d speedily; a n d
(iii) I n the case of o u t s t a n d i n g claims for sums exceeding
5,000 dollars, H i s M a j e s t y ' s G o v e r n m e n t should assume
a t once the responsibility for t h e e x a m i n a t i o n a s well as
the p a y m e n t , since, if it were left t o t h e A m e r i c a n s to
settle these claims, they would be forced to refer t h e m
to Congress, w i t h a consequent delay of m a n y m o n t h s .
The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs said t h a t t h e r e w a s
a g r e a t deal of c r i t i c i s m of the delay in s e t t l i n g claims a g a i n s t
members of the U n i t e d S t a t e s Forces a n d t h a t , unless a s a t i s f a c t o r y
solution could be reached, i t would be difficult to keep t h i s criticism
i n check. B y no means all the traffic accidents w h i c h gave rise to
claims were due to d a n g e r o u s d r i v i n g .
T h e following p o i n t s arose in discussion :—
(a) Could A m e r i c a n d r i v e r s not be m a d e to conform to t h e same
r e s t r i c t i o n s on speed as were imposed on B r i t i s h Service d r i v e r s ?
I t w a s suggested t h a t t h e possibility of g e t t i n g t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s
a u t h o r i t i e s to agree t o t h i s m i g h t be explored.
(b) T o w h a t a r e a s would t h e a r r a n g e m e n t s proposed i n
W . P . (44) 133 e x t e n d ? I t w a s e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e a r r a n g e m e n t s
would extend only to t h e a r e a s covered by t h e B r i t i s h C l a i m s
Commission.
"X
1
(c) The Prime Minister
t h o u g h t t h a t t h e proposed s t a t e m e n t
to be m a d e in the H o u s e of Commons w a s too long. I t w a s a g r e e d
t h a t the Secretary of S t a t e for F o r e i g n Affairs should m a k e a b r i e f
oral a n n o u n c e m e n t a n d circulate the full s t a t e m e n t in t h e Official
Report.
The W a r C a b i n e t A p p r o v e d t h e proposals in W . P . (44) 133 subject to
above.
Application of
Allied P o w e r s
(Maritime
Courts) Act,
1951, to France.
8.
X "
T h e W a r C a b i n e t h a d before t h e m —
(i) A M e m o r a n d u m by the L o r d P r e s i d e n t of t h e Council
( W . P . (44) 124) p r o p o s i n g t h a t a n order should be m a d e
u n d e r Section 1 (2) of t h e A l l i e d P o w e r s ( M a r i t i m e
Courts) A c t , 1941, a p p l y i n g t h e A c t to France.; a n d
(ii) A M e m o r a n d u m by t h e H o m e S e c r e t a r y a n d M i n i s t e r of
H o m e Security ( W . P . (44) 130) s t a t i n g w h a t responsi­
bilities a n d l i a b i l i t i e s w o u l d fall on h i m in t h e event of
the establishment of a F r e n c h M a r i t i m e C o u r t in t h i s
country.
T h e M e m o r a n d u m by t h e L o r d P r e s i d e n t of t h e Council
e x p l a i n e d t h a t the L o r d P r e s i d e n t s Committee were satisfied t h a t
a n o r d e r should be m a d e to enable a F r e n c h M a r i t i m e C o u r t to be
established, b u t t h a t , i n view of t h e d e s i r a b i l i t y in p r e s e n t circum­
stances of p r o c e e d i n g w i t h g r e a t c a u t i o n i n any m a t t e r involving
t h e F r e n c h Committee of L i b e r a t i o n , they h a d felt it necessary to
d r a w the a t t e n t i o n of t h e W a r C a b i n e t to t h e proposal.
The W a r Cabinet—
A p p r o v e d the p r o p o s a l t h a t a n o r d e r should be m a d e u n d e r
Section 1 (2) of the A l l i e d P o w e r s ( M a r i t i m e Courts) A c t ,
1941, a p p l y i n g the A c t to F r a n c e .
Food P r o b l e m s
in Liberated
Europe.
(Previous
Eeference:
W.M. (43) 131st
Conclusions,
Mmute 3.)
9. T h e W a r C a b i n e t h a d before t h e m a M e m o r a n d u m by t h e
M i n i s t e r of Economic W a r f a r e ( W . P . (44) 113) p r o p o s i n g t h a t , in
view of t h e p r e s e n t w o r l d food s i t u a t i o n , B r i t i s h p r o p a g a n d a should
e n c o u r a g e t h e S p r i n g s o w i n g of crops w h i l e c o n t i n u i n g to u r g e
p e a s a n t s not t o m a r k e t the food t h r o u g h Nazi-controlled channels.
jjfog Minister
of Economic
Warfare
recalled t h a t a t t h e
m e e t i n g on the 2 4 t h September, 1943 ( W . M . (43) 131st Conclusions,
M i n u t e 3), t h e W a r C a b i n e t h a d decided to reconsider before t h e
S p r i n g sowings t h e question w h e t h e r B r i t i s h p r o p a g a n d a should go
so f a r as to encourage food p r o d u c t i o n i n E u r o p e . H e suggested
t h a t t h e time h a d come to t a k e t h i s s t e p if w e w e r e going to avoid
a s i t u a t i o n in w h i c h t h e p o p u l a t i o n of l i b e r a t e d a r e a s i n E u r o p e
w o u l d blame t h e Allies for t h e s h o r t a g e s of food w h i c h were likely
to arise.
- The Prime Minister
saw some objection to open p r o p a g a n d a
o n these lines. H e suggested t h a t , while n o t c h a n g i n g our open
p r o p a g a n d a to the p o p u l a t i o n s of occupied areas, local a g e n t s
should be i n s t r u c t e d to speak on the lines proposed. The W a r C a b i n e t A g r e e d t h a t t h e r e should be no change in the public p r o p a ­
g a n d a to p o p u l a t i o n s of occupied countries on t h e subject
of food p r o d u c t i o n , b u t t h a t local a g e n t s in these countries
should be i n s t r u c t e d to e n c o u r a g e food p r o d u c t i o n .
A
r
m
y
Benevolent
Fund.
10. T h e W a r C a b i n e t h a d before them a M e m o r a n d u m by t h e
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r ( W . P . (44) 116) covering a scheme
w o r k e d o u t by t h e A r m y Council for t h e f o r m a t i o n of a n A r m y
Benevolent F u n d .
The W a r C a b i n e t D e f e r r e d c o n s i d e r a t i o n of t h e scheme u n t i l a f t e r t h e f o r t h ­
coming debate i n t h e H o u s e of Commons on A r m y p a y a n d
allowances.
Service P a y and
Allowances.
1 1 . The Secretary of State for War s a i d t h a t in t h e Debate
on A r m y E s t i m a t e s M r . K e n d a l l , M . P . , h a d a M o t i o n calling
a t t e n t i o n to the i n a d e q u a t e p a y a n d allowances of Service men a n d
women a n d moving " t h a t t h i s H o u s e is of the o p i n i o n t h a t the p a y
a n d allowances of members of H i s M a j e s t y ' s A r m y a r e i n a d e q u a t e
to enable them a n d t h e i r families to m a i n t a i n a reasonable s t a n d a r d
of living, a n d t h e r e f o r e it is u r g e n t t h a t i m m e d i a t e increases be
m a d e in such p a y a n d a l l o w a n c e s . "
T h e Secretary of S t a t e for W a r r e m i n d e d t h e W a r C a b i n e t
t h a t on the occasion of the last m a j o r a l t e r a t i o n i n Service p a y a n d
allowances in September 1942 i t h a d been stated on behalf of t h e
Government t h a t t h e concessions t h e n i n t r o d u c e d were r e g a r d e d as
a final solution of the m a t t e r so long as prices r e m a i n e d s u b s t a n t i a l l y
a t t h e i r p r e s e n t levels.
Since t h a t d a t e price levels h a d not changed, b u t there h a d
been some increase i n i n d u s t r i a l wages. The S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e
informed the W a r C a b i n e t of the g e n e r a l lines of the s t a t e m e n t
w h i c h he proposed to make. T h i s w a s t h a t H i s M a j e s t y ' s Govern­
ment stood on t h e p o s i t i o n w h i c h they h a d t a k e n u p in September
1942 a n d Which h a d been reaffirmed on several subsequent occasions,
a n d t h a t they r e m a i n e d of opinion t h a t the g e n e r a l scheme of the
p r e s e n t p a y a n d allowances w a s essentially sound a n d afforded a
f a i r a n d reasonable s t a n d a r d for officers a n d other r a n k s a n d t h e i r
families. A t t h e same t i m e t h e door w a s not closed so f a r as
concerned the d e t a i l e d a p p l i c a t i o n of t h e scheme t h e n a d o p t e d .
T h e position w a s constantly being examined i n the l i g h t of t h e
i n f o r m a t i o n received, a n d suggestions m a d e i n debate would be
a d d e d to evidence a l r e a d y received a n d would be t a k e n i n t o
consideration.
I n discussion, i t w a s suggested t h a t the H o u s e m i g h t be
r e m i n d e d t h a t on the occasion of t h e a l t e r a t i o n s effected i n
September 1942 the whole position h a d been very fully discussed
between the p r e s e n t Chancellor of t h e E x c h e q u e r a n d M i n i s t e r of
A i r c r a f t P r o d u c t i o n a n d a committee r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of all sections
of the House, w h o h a d accepted as s a t i s f a c t o r y the r a t e s of p a y a n d
allowances w h i c h h a d t h e n been introduced.
I t w a s generally
agreed t h a t reference to t h i s m i g h t be included i n the S e c r e t a r y of
S t a t e for W a r ' s s t a t e m e n t .
Subject t o t h i s point, t h e W a r C a b i n e t —
E n d o r s e d t h e general lines of t h e s t a t e m e n t outlined by
the S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r .
Offices of the War Cabinet, S.W.
28th February, 1944. 1,