Teleprinter Message LM577 [MELBOURNE], 30 May 1947
Received 30 May 1947

IMMEDIATE TOP SECRET AND PERSONAL

General Evetts called to see me yesterday. He has had several
demi-official letters from officers of Guided Weapons Staff in
Ministry of Supply which indicate a probable deceleration of the
existing programme of tests which Evetts had received officially
from the Ministry of Supply. A copy of the programme was given by
him to you and me at the conference in his flat. This demi-
official information coincides with that in Lieut.-General
Sturdee's signal [1] so I showed Evetts a copy. The information in
these demi-official messages is not in line with requests in
recent cables on the highest levels and the programme of tests
previously received. The question is whether the setting up of
facilities should continue at the planned rate. Evetts presumes
that the Policy proposals will not be changed due to possible
slowing up of availability of prototypes for tests and asked me to
communicate with you. I expressed the view in agreement with
Evetts that the present programme of action should not be varied
pending official notification of change in the instructions
received, except that commitments for major items of equipment
likely to be affected, e.g. transport aircraft, should not be made
until the visit of Mr. Gardner, Ministry of Supply, in July, or
until the position is clear.

2. As you had passed to Evetts a copy of Cable Noma to the Prime
Minister of the United Kingdom, and in view of its relationship to
the demi-official messages, I showed Evetts a copy of Cable No.102
from the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom which he was very
pleased to see, particularly in view of the policy of accelerating
the programme as far as possible. It is clear, however, that the
best possible estimates of the times when facilities are required
for testing the various types of equipment should be furnished by
the Ministry of Supply so that the provision of facilities can
proceed efficiently and economically. Apparently progress in
development is slower than previously anticipated.

3. Would you please advise whether a copy of Cable No.102 may be
passed to Evetts. [2]

Message ends.