Coll 28/85S (2) ‘Persia; Abadan situation 1946; Policy to be pursued by H.M.G. (Recommendations & General Appreciation).’ [‎39r] (77/84)

worth asking him for further Informatl n on this aspect of his
recommendations. At the same time, we should enquire more
•bout his proposal to foster the natural antipnthy to Communism
of religious bodies. This may he a desirable move but we
ought to have more detailed information as to what is proposed.
Subject to clarification of these points we could certainly
approve $r. Le Rougetel’s general recommendations Nos. (2)
and (3) •
Turnin : to the action proposed on the industrial side,
these are all matters in which the A.I.O.C. are already making
progress, but ne-id further encouragement. The general
spirit of these proposals is in line with the recormnerelations
of the Parliamentary delegation. As to the best way of
bringing home to the A.I.O.C. the importance of the points
made by Mr. Le Rougetel, it has been suggested that the
best course mi^it be for you and Mr. Shinwell together to
meet Sir W, Fraser and discuss the problem with him. In
order to obtain the best results ' I think the line to take
might be that the Company had done a very good job in building
up this great enterprise and had given a lead to Persia
in many aspects of labour welfare and treatment. But a new
phase is now opening in the relationship of British oil
companies operating abroad and their local labour and they
can only hope to hold their positions if they order their
affairs according to the best Western standards. You could
suggest :hat the A.I.O.C. are no doubt already working on
these lines, and you would be glad to know how they view
Mr. L* Rougetel*s proposals.
It has also been suggested by Mr. Berthoud that, since
the problem of the relationship of local labour to British oil
companies operating in foreign territory is common to a number
of companies, it might be very useful if on some separate
occasion, you and Mr. Shinwell could convene the chairmen of
all the principal companies and discuss the problem with them.
The development programme which it is hoped the A.I.O.C.
will carry out will involve the provision of large quantities
of material and their labour relationship programme will need
skilled men. We have already promised our help in obtaining
priorities. But it would be helpful if you would write
personally to the Minister of Supply, the President of the
Board of Trade and the Minister of Labour, asking them to
give general directions to their Departments to deal rapidly
and favourably with all requests from the A.I.O.C. for
facilities required for their development programme. I
understand that Mr. Le Rougetel attaches particular importance
to Item 8 of the special recommendations and it might be useful
if you could write personally to the President of the Board of
Trade about this also.
Fina].ly there Is the question of the possible general
settlement with the Russians which Mr. Le Rougetel raises
in the seventh paragraph of his appreciation and the fourth
paragraph of his general recommendations. Mr. Le Rougetel
appears to be opposed to making any approach, whether in the
/general