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

TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY

It is requesten svetar ca le may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.

This document was considered at Co. (4) 24 Meeting.

199

SECRET.

.C.O.S.(41) 44.

18TH JANUARY, 1941

COPY NO. 33

44

WAR CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE.

SIGNPOSTS ON THE ROAD.

Report the Sub-Committee on Signposts.

}

The Chiefs of Staf, at their meeting on 2nd December 1940 (C.O.S. (40) 411th Meeting, Minute 2) appointed a Sub-Committee with the following terms of reference:·

20

"To enquire into the character and extent of the

delay to Government and important Commercial road traffic occasioned by the removal of signposts and to propose a remedy, on the assumption that the threat of invasion remains and that no assistance must be given to the enemy if he lands",

At our Meeting on 10th December we called for reports from the Departments concerned with production, setting out the nature and extent of the difficulties experienced by the drivers of vehicles for whom they were responsible, including the questions (i) whether the movement of supervising officers was particularly impeded by the absence of signposts and (ii) whether the delays alleged could be shown to have a serious effect on production. We have now received replies from the Departments concerned.

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Admiralty. In view of the help which can be provided for official traffic by the military traffic control organisation and the assistance to the enemy in the event of an attempted invasion which would be given by a restoration of signposts, the Admiralty do not propose to press the matter further. They point out, however, that individual cases of serious delay, especially over the movement of supervising officers, are liable to occur in present circumstances.

40

Ministry of Supply. Generally speaking, no serious complaints have been received from the road haulage contractors concerned with the conveyance of materials handled by the Ministry though in particular areas reports have been received of loss of time caused by drivers of vehicles unfamiliar with the country being held up.

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