Ext 329/43(2) ‘SHIPMENT OF DATES TO PERSIAN GULF STATES’ [‎16r] (31/226)

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mam
IRAQI
DAT E S
< 1 ^ *
Notes of Meeting held at Ministry of Pood on Friday,
5th May, 1 %A-
Present
Mr J.J.S. Scouler
Mr J. Chaplin
Mr C. A „ F M' Dunda s
Mr E.D. Jourdain.
Mrs V.J. D'aniel
Mr T.M.
Miss D.
Mr ¥.¥.
Mr P.C.
Mr R.E
¥ilson
Richardson
Nind
Parsons
Moore
Miss F.E.Hobley
(in the Chair) , . .
Forpign Office
Foreign Office
Ministry of War Transport
Ministry of War Transport
Treasury
Treasury
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.
Ministry of Food
Ministry of Food
Ministry -of Food
I'. Ir Scouler stated that he had ceiled the nice ting to discuss the
procedure for purchasing the 19MA crops of Iraqi dates. A memorandum
had been circulated putting forward certain proposals and summarising
the difficulties encountered in the purchase and distribution of dates
this year. There had been much criticism of the scheme. The Ministry
however, felt that it was desirable to continue the scheme in 1944 and
they were prepared to undertake it, but to do so the co-operation of the
M.E.S.C. and the consuming countries must be ensured. The fact that
Middle East territories were clamouring for dates had caused the
Ministry of Food to purchase 25,000 tons of Euphrates dates. Now the
territories were reluctant to take the dates and it looked as if the
Ministry might be left with about 20,000 tons of dates. India could
absorb more dates but transport difficulties were impeding their import.
It looked as if Andrew Weir would continue to hold the concession but a
contra.ct would only be made this year with Weir for one year. It was
hoped that the Iraqi G-overnment would assist in various ways towards the
smoother working of the scheme. An early decision was required as the
season was getting on.
;j ilr Chaplin stated that if the contract was made v/ith Weir’s a
minimum quantity should be fixed, with a penalty clause for default.
Mr Nind stated that the co-operation of 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.
could not. be obtained without a guarantee that the dates would be
obtained. It seemed also, that the territories would need to guarantee
that they would take all their requirements. He would like to encourage
the Sheikhdoms by indicating that they would have a larger quantity than
promised to them last year.
Mr Scoulcr stated that he would ra.ther at the start contract for a
lower quantity which he would be sure of obtaining with an option of
getting: mote later. He suggested a. minimum figure of 60,000 basket dates
and 40,000 cased dates.
Llr Jourdadn stated that he had discussed this question with M.E.S.C.
and the British Embassy in Bagdad. It seemed that certain charges were
necessary if the scheme were to be successful. He emphasised tha.t closer
supervision of Weir wa-s needed, but greater freedom of action for
Murchison. An organisation v/as needed to control the allocations after
the dates had been delivered ready for shipment. Weir should take
instructions from this organisation. The various territories in the
Middle East should, rJ.so, be visited to get firm orders as soon as the
prices and quantities could be assessed. Price exerted a material
influence upon the level of demand.- id though the M.E.S.C. v/as prepared
to help in this work he felt tha.t a technical expert from the Ministry
of Food should edso be sent to Ire„q.
Mr Jourdain also stated that the Middle East Supply Centre Would
support the scheme providing this extra supervision were carried out.
. /M.E.S.C.