Coll 5/43 ‘Night flying facilities in the Persian Gulf in connection with the Empire Air Mail Scheme’ [‎21r] (41/157)

T rcna .jordan
Peraicin gulf.
Gwada r. to
Karachi,
Malta.
Purchase o f
The Treasury representatives raised no objection
to the proposal that the expenditure in Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan should
be borne by the Air Ministry. The Colonial Office
representative said that his Department would inform the
Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan Administration of the proposals.
12 0 With regard to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , the In di a Office
representatives thought that certain of the Sheikhs along
the Arabian Coast might prove a little difficult on the
question of the provision of additional facilities in their
territory and that some delay might be involved on that
account. It was explained in this connection that it would
take about twelve months to obtain the necessary equipment,,
The India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. would instruct the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in
the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. to meet the United Kingdom Delegation either
at Baghdad or Basrah, whichever was considered moat
convenient, to discuss the question of the technical
requirements along the Arabian Coast. The cost of the
equipment would have to be borne by the Air Ministry.
It was explained that the Air Ministry now found
that it would be necessary to provide lightIng^faSilities
between Bahrein and Gwadar in order to permit of this section
being flown by night in the westbound direction. The cost,
which would be additional to that set out in the original
proposals, would amount to some £40,000. The Treasury
representatives took note of this new proposal,
13„ As regards Gwadar, which is in Muscat territory,
the Air Ministry would have to provide the necessary equipment
as neither the Muscat Authorities nor the Government of India
could accept this responsibility. It was hoped on the part
of the Air Ministry, however, that after the equipment was
installed, the Government of India would undertake to
maintain it as an agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. service. A few supplementary
facilities (cost £7,000) were necessary between Gwadar and
Karachi, but these would be the responsibility of Indiac
14. The question of including Malta in the scheme had
been considered f but as the proposals might not offer
sufficient attraction to the Maltese Government, the Air
Ministry had not assumed that Malta would participate fully
in the scheme. The Colonial Office representative
considered, however, that the Government of Malta should be
given the opportunity of participating in the scheme if they
so desire. It was pointed out in reply that the inclusion
of Malta, which would be welcomed by tiie Air Ministry, would,
by reason of the increased load, involve the addition of
another service to those envisaged in the scheme, if British
West Africa and Iraq also came into the scheme. These two
countries were not originally included in the Estimates, but
allowance has to be made for possible refusals by Egypt ard/or
Malta.
15. On the question of the purchase of the technical
equipment required under the scheme the Air Mi nistry
represent a tives contemplated that, to ensure uniformity of
pattern, it would be purchased in this country. Moreover,
better terms could be secured by the placing of bulk orders.
The Treasury repr e sentatives considered that it was important
that this should be stipulated in any arrangements made for
capital advances, as the provision of large sums of money from
the United Kingdom exchequer for the purchase of foreign
equipment could not be justified. The Air Ministry
senta1 1 yea suggested and the Treasury rep resentativ^a