Minutes of the Ninth Meeting of the sub-committee, held in the Secretary's Room, Great George Street, S.W.1. on Tuesday 23rd February 1943, at 10.15 am

(b) Before the arrival of the new Mission the present Mission should consolidate all outstanding requests for information and submit them to Otdel: (c) The Head of the present Mission should by letter announce the new appoint- ments to the Chief of Staff of the Red Army: (d) On the arrival of the new Mission, His Majesty's Ambassador should seek permission to present the new Head of the Mission to M. Stalin as Supreme Commander of the Soviet Forces and, if it had been so decided, should hand M. Stalin a personal message from the Prime Minister. (e) The new Head of the Mission should be provided with a letter of introduction from the Chiefs of Staff to the Chief of the Army Staff of the Soviet Forces, and seek an interview at which to present it: (ii) Instructed the Secretary to inform the Joint Staff Mission of any decision taken by the Chiefs of staff on J.I.C.(43) 72. 2. SECURITY OF OPERATION "TORCH" BRIGADIER ALLEN informed the Sub-Committee that Sir Findlater Stewart had had some discussion with the Director- General of the Security Service regarding the leakages of information which had taken place regarding Operation "TORCH". There seemed to be some danger of complacency regarding the achievements of security in relation to this Operation. Whilst it was true that the enemy had apparently been deceived about our intentions, the fact remained that serious leakages did occur and it was most desirable that steps should be taken to prevent such leakages in future. In Sir David Petrie's opinion, leakages in high places were far more dangerous and more likely to result in information reaching the enemy than indiscretions lower in the scale. The question, which had previously been raised, about publicity for the sentences of Courts Martial in Security cases should perhaps be reopened. A Memorandum had been prepared on the whole subject by the Security Service and it was suggested that this Memorandum should be circulated to the members of the Sub-Committee, who might reconsider the question of their next meeting in a week's time. THE SUB-COMMITTEE:- Agreed to reconsider this matter in one week's time. -2-