SECRET
HOME INTELLIGENCE DIVISION
APPENDIX
British Institute of Public Opinion Results
For internal circulation only
The following results of a survey made at the beginning of May, 1943, have just been received. The survey was not sponsored by the Home Intelligence Division.
1.
The main job facing the Government
Q: “What do you think is the most important war problem the Government must solve during the next few months?”
May 1943
Jan. 1943
%
%
Invasion of Europe; the second front
29
15
Combating shipping losses; maintaining supplies from overseas
21
30
Maintaining adequate food rations
7
6
Finishing off the war; a speedy victory
5
6
Organising man and woman power
3
6
Production, and organisation of resources
3
5
Reconstruction and post-war unemployment
3
4
Helping Russia with supplies
1
2
Housing
2
Coordination with the Allies
2
Transport
1
Beveridge; social security; increased pensions
1
Coal situation
1
16
Provisioning our Forces overseas
1
The Russo-Polish dispute
1
Cost of living
1
Bombing Germany and Italy
1
Miscellaneous
7
No comment or don't know
10
10
100
100
Comment
The coal situation no longer stands out as a pressing problem, while the invasion of Europe has superseded the question of shipping losses at the top of the list.
2.
Which of the United Nations has done most
Q: “Which country of the United Nations do you think has so far made the greatest single contribution towards winning the war?”
Britain
China
Russia
U.S.A.
%
%
%
%
Total:
42
5
50
3
Age groups:
21 - 29
35
6
57
2
30 - 49
40
5
52
3
50 and over
48
4
45
3
Economic groups:
Upper
49
2
46
3
Middle
48
5
44
3
Lower
40
6
51
3
Sex breakdown shows no significent difference.
Q: “Why do you think this?”
%
%
Russia
48
Her great losses and suffering; she is bearing the biggest burden; acts not merely talks; fighting the hardest; war on her own soil.
39
She has something to fight for; all out war effort; all pull together; more eager to win.
6
Because of her successes; because of Stalin
2
Miscellaneous
1
Britain
40
For over a year we stood alone
16
We have had to ship so much overseas; we want to help others
9
We produce most per head; biggest call-up
6
Battle of Britain; look what we have gone through
6
Because I am British
1
Miscellaneous
2
China
- She has been at war longest
4
U.S.A.
- They produce a lot
2
All
trying equally, all doing their share
2
No comment
4
3.
Duration of the War
Q: “How long do you think the war will last from now?”
Present survey
May 1943
Dec. 1942
Sept. 1942
June 1942
Dec. 1941
Jan. 1941
%
%
%
%
%
%
6 months
7
14
8
11
5
7
1 year
27
35
25
28
15
23
18 months
22
21
15
22
13
8
2 years
26
19
24
21
29
18
3 years
9
5
10
7
18
8
Longer
6
3
9
5
16
7
Don't know
3
3
9
6
4
29
Comments
The percentage of people expecting the war to end within 18 months has fallen from 70% in December last to 56%.
The high December figures were associated with the North African landings and the victory at Stalingrad.
It appears that the present mood is not one of over-optimism; and the public continues to push the date of the end of the war well ahead of the present.
4.
France
Q: “How do you feel towards the French nation?”
%
%
Definitely friendly:
37
Friendly; they are a clever people; very intelligent
14
Feel sorry for them
11
People plucky but government rotten
10
Underground movement strong and brave
2
Indifferent:
15
No feeling
9
All right; same as anybody else
6
Reserved:
8
Cautious, definitely lukewarm attitude
8
Definitely unfriendly:
26
Don't like them; never did like them; last war memories
15
They are treacherous; don't trust them; fascist; 5th columnists
11
Miscellaneous
5
No comment
9
5.
Government support for culture
Q: “Would you favour continuing, after the war, Government spending in support of music, theatre, films etc.?”
Yes
No
Don't know
%
%
%
Total:
57
26
17
Men
55
32
13
Women
59
21
20
Age groups:
21 - 29
64
18
18
30 - 49
58
28
14
50 and over
53
28
19
Economic groups:
Higher
66
27
7
Middle
59
31
10
Lower
55
25
20
6.
The V.D. Campaign
Q: “Do you approve or disapprove of the Government's Campaign against venereal disease?”
Approve
Disapprove
Don't know
%
%
%
Total
87
3
10
Breakdowns by sex, age, and income group showed no important differences.
Q: “Is there anything more you think might be done against venereal disease”
%
No
30
More information about VD: straight talking; films etc.
13
Sex education in general; hygiene taught in schools
8
Regular medical examination for all
8
Compulsory reporting and treatment
6
Licensed houses
3
More clinics
2
Tests before marriage
2
Less immorality
2
Don't know anything about it
2
Preventatives for civilians too
½
Miscellaneous
6
No answer
17½
7.
Men and Women doctors
Q: “If men and women doctors were equally well trained and available, which would you prefer for yourself, a man doctor or a woman doctor?”
Man doctor
Woman doctor
Indifferent
%
%
%
Total:
58
18
24
Men
76
3
21
Women
39
34
27
Age groups:
21 - 29
45
28
27
30 - 49
56
19
25
50 and over
64
13
23
Economic groups:
Higher
65
10
25
Middle
60
16
24
Lower
56
20
24
Q: “Would you have any preference for your children?”
Man doctor
Women doctor
Indifferent
%
%
%
Total:
38
18
44
Men
43
12
45
Women
34
24
42
Age groups:
21 - 29
33
22
45
30 - 49
37
18
45
50 and over
42
16
42
Economic groups:
Higher
42
10
48
Middle
39
14
47
Lower
38
20
42
Q: “Why do you say this?”
Total
Men
Women
%
%
%
Man doctor
:
Men are proved better; more reliable; experienced
15
18
12
Prejudice I suppose; more used to a man
9
11
7
Have more confidence in a man
8
8
8
No faith in women
3
4
2
Wouldn't want to be handled by a woman
2
4
-
Can talk to a man more easily
1
1
1
More common sense
-
-
1
No reason
1
1
1
39%
47%
32%
Woman doctor
:
Women have more feeling, more sympathy, patience
7
3
10
Women are better for children
7
7
6
You can talk more easily to a woman
3
-
6
No reason
1
-
3
18%
10%
25%
Indifferent
:
It's training and cleverness that counts; if it's a good doctor what does sex matter
11
10
12
Men for men; women for women
7
9
6
Don't mind which
4
3
5
22%
22%
23%
Miscellaneous
4
4
3
No comment
17
17
17
NOTE
: The totals in this table differ slightly from the two previous totals because not all people gave reasons, and because some reasons had to be classified under the heading “Miscellaneous”.
