Minutes of the Forty First Meeting of the Committee (Deputy Directors) Held in Conference Room "H", at the Ministry of Defence, S.W.I on Wednesday, 26th April, 1950, at 11.00 a.m.

SECRET In discussion, it was pointed out that since the Joint Planning Staff had already taken into account the views expressed in the draft telegram, before amendment, in the 'X' preparation of their report+ to the Chiefs of Staff, it would be necessary for the Service Departments to brief their respective Chiefs of Staff on the lines of the agreed amendment. THE COMMITTEE:- (1) Approved the draft telegram to the Joint Intelligence Committee, Washington, as amended in discussion, and instructed the Secretary to send it≠. (2) Invited the Service Departments to arrange for their respective Chiefs of Staff to be briefed on the lines of 'X' above. + J.P. (50) 56 (Final). ≠ Sent as FEUDAL 575. 3. AIR THREAT TO THE MIDDLE EAST. SECRET THE COMMITTEE were informed that, in response to a request from the Middle East Planners, the Joint Planning Staff, in consultation with the Joint Intelligence Staff, had prepared a telegram on the build up of Soviet air forces in the Middle East, being an interpretation of certain paragraphs of the Combined Appreciation+ on Soviet intentions and capabilities. This telegram≠ had been approved by the Directors of Plans and despatched to the Joint Planning Staff, Middle East. Copies of the telegram had been circulated to the members of the Committee and it was suggested that, should they have any comments there on, the Secretary should be so informed in order that they could be passed to the Joint Intelligence Committee, Middle East, accordingly. There was general agreement with this suggestion. THE COMMITTEE:- Took note that a telegram≠ on the build up of Soviet air forces in the Middle East had been sent to the Joint Planning Staff, Middle East, and agreed to inform the Secretary, for the subsequent information of the Joint Intelligence Committee, Middle East, of any comments that they might have on the terms of that telegram. + J.I.C. (49) 80 (Final). ≠ GOLD 94 dated 20th April, 1950. -2-