'File 4/14 I Bahrain Development' [‎158r] (315/344)

A 4 '*
Dear Colonel Galloway
D.0. No. C/866.
Please refer to your Express Letter No. 3290-19/8
Sub.23. dated the 10th of August, 1945.
2. I enclose a copy of a note recording Bird’s
conversation with Belgrave on the subject of the East
Anglian Engineering Company’s proposals. Personally,
I am inclined to think that it would be better to
canalise the State’s requirements from England through
one representative - that this would the most expeditious
and efficient way of doing things even if slightly more
expensive. At present Belgrave is trying to deal with
about half a dozen different firms and to do his own
work in his various capacities as well. He will not,
of course, delegate to Leigh. I understand that he,
intends to see the East Anglian Engineering Company in
England — I think also that he will have to revise
his idea that the number of orders to be placed for
machinery, etc., for Bahrain will be small.
3. Regarding what is referred to in the East
Anglian Engineering Company’s letter as the ’’State
Electricity undertaking” the position is not very
satisfactory. It would appear from that letter that
Sir Geoffrey prior mentioned the proposal to the
East Anglian Representative and was under the impression
that we had got further with it here than (I am sorry
to say) is actually the case. The position is more
or less as stated at paragraph 5 of Bird’s note. I
should, add that you may remember that I mentioned it
in my Demi-dfficial letter No. P 8, dated the 19th
of August, 1945, to you. I am afraid that I^did not
take action on paragraph 3 of your Demi-official letter
No. C/210 dated the 26th of August, 1945, as I thought
(perhaps wrongly) that I should be trying Belgrave too
high if I addressed him about the water supply and the
electricity at the same time. I shall, however, now
see what l" can do with Smith and Leigh to get the
electricity scheme under way and out of the realms of
being merely a proposal. Meanwhile, you might think
well of writing to Sir Geoffrey Prior about it as he
will doubtless see Belgrave in England.
4. incidentally, I am glad to say that Belgrave
took prompt action on my reference to him about the
water supply and has called for quotations for the
machinery, etc., from two firms.
Yours sincerely
*
Sd./- C.J. PELLY.