Coll 54/1(S) 'Middle East (Official) Committee: Reconstruction' [‎428r] (859/940)

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X spent tht first three weeks of Octobwr in Cairo
following up matters arising from ny earlier tour In i>yrl* y
and official work which I did when on leave e I also wade
preparations for an extended visit to Persia*
2. Following np the general report which I wrote on
agriculture In Syria, a special note was written end sent
tc the Government of Syria, through the British Legation at
Damascus, on the agricultural development of the Jazlrah In
Syria. This Is one of the few agricultural areas of ,great
magnitude in the Kiddle Cast w*ich can be developed for
ralnfed farming. It has greet possibilities but its
development should take place on a properly organised basis
and not in the present haphazard manner. If properly
undertaken on such a basis the area could not only bring
increased prosperity to Syria but at minimum cost could make
a substantial contribution to the food grain and oilseed
scarcity now existing in the world in general. Tht area
could also absorb surplus population from outside. Views on
how develooment could be organised were put forward in the
note.
3. A note was prepared and circulated to the various
Middle East countries ir which the B.H.E.O. operates, on the
latest developments in British tractors. Thera Is a great
dearth of information In Missions In these countries and
with the Governments concerned on the makes, types and
specifications of the latest British tractors now being
manufactured, and of their availability, prices, etc. During
my leave 1 made personal contact with the manufacturers and
from them collected and circulated information which should
prove useful both to the countries concerned and to the
commercial secretariats of the Missions concerned.
4. On October 24th I left for Tehran and returned to
Cairo from Persia on December 7th. During a six weeks’ stay
in that country X wade a tour of the northern region end
studied agricultural conditions end possibilities and
departmental organisations and facilities on the agricultural
side. In and around Tehran I visited the various
institutions and sections of the Agricultural Deourtment,
studied their functions and organisation and formed cn
opinion of their requirements.
5* Much time was spent with the agricultural members
of the Supreme Planning Board in a study and discussions of
the agricultural provisions and proposals in the Seven-Year
Plan of economic development. The agricultural sections
were examined individually end comments and suggestions were
made on then.
6. Contact was made with the grouo of representatives
of Overseas Consultants, Inc. soon after their arrival in
Tehran from New York, This organisation had been employed
by the Persian Government to advise and assist it in
connection with the beven-Year Plan, end it sent a group of
five representatives to Persia to establish personal touch
with the Persian Government to get a general first hand
Impression of Persian conditions, to advise on the feasibility
of the Plan and regarding the next step to take in bringing
the Plan to fruition. On the invitation of the group I
accompanied them on a tour of central Persia, and during
those days and subsequently until the group left Persia I
had continuous contact with them. During sll these occasions
agricultural conditions and possibilities were discussed;
the group ....
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