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158

CL.

THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT).

TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.

SECRET.

It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.

C.0.S.(40) 472 (J.P.)

COPY NO.2

Also Paper No. J.P.(40) 255.

19TH JUNE, 1940.

WAR CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

FORMATION OF A NUCLEUS PLANTING STAFF IN

CANADA.

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Report by the Joint Planning Sub-Committee.

There seems little doubt that in the near future the United Kingdom will become to some extent a battle field. In these circumstances the work of Government Departments will increasingly tend to resemble that of a General Headquarters in the field. Our Staffs and Departments will be continually occupied in fighting the day to day battle, filling up the gaps made in our organisation and meeting our day to day needs in armaments, material and personnel. No one will have the time or the detachment to sit back and plan ahead so that the latent resources of the Empire and the Americas can be organised, equipped and trained for the ultimate defeat of Germany. While our armament industry and our training organisations may be able to continue to some extent they will be able unable to meet wastage, let alone the needs of expansion.

2.

The extent to which we shall have to rely upon the economic weapon in order to achieve final victory, has been clearly described by the Minister without Portfolio in his Memoranda (W.P. (G) (40) 155 and W.P.(40) 209). The control of commodities at source is now the principal economic weapon. The efficient functioning of this control requires the closest co-operation of the Americas, the Dominions the Colonies and the Empires of our Allies.

3.

We consider that the provision of an organisation capable of carrying on the longer term conduct and planning of the war undistracted by the atosphere of the day to day battle is necessary. Canada, we suggest, is the most suitable place and would be well sitod for the necessary close co-operation of the United States of America. therefore recommend that the Departments most intimately concerned with the conduct of the war, and in particular, the Service Ministries, the Ministry of Economic Warfare

472

We

(J.P.)

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