The People
From "Christmas Trees" drawn on their staff file to MI5 Spooks snooping into their background, being, at first "directed", then later "invited", to work on the WTBS was no easy decision. Some, even senior managers, outright refused to be part of this secret broadcast service, others took a more light hearted approach.
Vetting
Up to the 1980s, BBC Staff working in certain areas, were subject to vetting by MI5. The aim was to ensure that "only the right types" would get to broadcast or produce programmes.
In spite of this intention, one example in particular illustrated how this policy failed.
BBC staff, initally "directed", later "invited", to be part of the WTBS were subject to this procedure too.
Staffing
Throughout the life of the WTBS the staffing numbers required to run it ran into the hundreds.
Although engineers made up three-quarters of those required, there were, at various times, producers, broadcasters, secretaries, doctors, nurses and even a record librarian.
Whoever they were, and whatever job they were assigned, there was always the question, if the time came, would they be able to leave their families to an uncertain fate and decend into a bunker to do their part?
"I said to the candidates. "I want you to sign this piece of paper to say you will go into the bunker, leaving your wife and family to fend for themselves. And many of them said. “Bugger off, I’m not going to do that.”"
Micheal Barton - Controller BBC Local Radio on asking staff to be part of the WTBS