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Coll 5/28 ‘Air Route to India: Air facilities on the Arab Coast; Debai Air Agreement’ [145r] (288/932)
The record is made up of 1 file (465 folios). It was created in 23 Jun 1933-30 Dec 1946. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: 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. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
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This would in fact not amount to much more than was paid to
certain other countries on the route<>
MR. HOW stated that from a financial point of view
the advantage of Dubai was the common user of the existing
facilities at Sharjah, and it was, in his opinion, important
to maintain this arrangements If Ras-el'-Khairaah were to be
used, it would be necessary practically to duplicate the
Sharjah facilities, which would be very costly to the Air
Ministry, or the Company, or both; In addition, there was the
question of the terms whicn could be obtained from the Sheikh
of Ras-el-hhaimaho He thought that it would be preferable
from a financial point of view to make the best possible
bargain for the use of Dubaio
THE CHAIRMAN suggested that in the initial stages
of negotiation the £400 should be assumed to be included in
the £1,000 now demanded*
It was agreed that tne negotiation of a new
agreement should be left to 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.
, on the
best terms obtainable a
MR. SYMON inquired as to a suitable term for the
Agreement* CDR. GALPIN indicated that the Company would
prefer a long term agreement, and suggested a period of about
10 to 15 years* Mr* How thought that if a long tern
agreement would result in a reduction of Uie costs it might
be advisable; but it seemed that the matter depended primarily
on Imperial .airways* view of the probable development of the
services* MR. BANKS pointed out that the probability of
landplanes replacing flying boats in about five years time
should be considered, and ne suggested that five years should
be tne maximum period of the Agreement*
The meeting agreed that tne negotiations in respect
of the Agreement snould be based on a term of five years*
MR. RIDDOCH suggested that provision should be made
for the Agreement to bind the heirs and successors of the
present Sheikh* MR. SYMON stated that this would be borne in
mind in drawing up the agreement*
CDR. GALPIN inquired whether it would be possible for
the question of safeguarding passengers between Dubai and
Sharjah to be incorporated in the Agreement o At present there
was a written agreement on tiie /natter, signed only by the
Sheikh of Dubai, and the Company felt taut the position snould
be made more secure*
MR. SYMON pointed out that it would not be possible
to refer to tne question in the Dubai Agreement, as it was a
matter also concerning the Sheikh of Sharjah* SIR TRENCHARD
POVVLE stated that the question would be safeguarded in the
negotiations with tne Sheikh*
3^ MR. SYMON stated that the Sultan of Muscat, who was
at present in England, nad expressed a desire to settle the
arrangements regarding the renewal of the present Agreement
for the use of Gvvadar, which was due to expire in October
next* The Sultan had pointed out that if he continued to give
exemption from duties on petrol he would require an increased
rental* MR. SYMON remarked that he understood that the Air
ministry were contemplating a move from Gwadar to Jiunri* If
/ this
About this item
- Content
The file contains correspondence and notes related to air facilities required by Imperial Airways (from 1940 the British Overseas Airways Corporation - BOAC) and the Royal Air Force (RAF) along the Arabian Coast. The file therefore contains a number of lists (some of which are categorised by priority) prepared by the Air Ministry outlining British requirements for navigation beacons, wireless transmissions sets, direction finding sets, moorings for flying boats etc; the lists prepared by the Air Ministry are revised over time to reflect changing requirements, for example the introduction of night flying. Also covered in the file is the establishment of a petrol dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. at Dubai in 1934 (see folio 402 for a copy of the agreement), and consideration in 1938 of arrangements for the provision of fuel at Ras al Khaimah [Ra's al-Khaymah] for Imperial Airways in cases of emergency.
Another topic featured in the file is the introduction of a flying boat service by Imperial Airways in 1937, and the selection of a suitable stopping point along the Arabian Coast. The selection process is covered, which includes consideration of Dubai (also spelt Debai and Dabai), Ras al Khaimah, and Umm al Qaiwain [Umm al-Qaywayn] as potential sites. This process culminates in the Dubai Commercial Air Agreement (1937): see folios 223-226 for a copy of the agreement with both Arabic and English translation. This includes an agreement respecting security arrangements for passengers transferred between the alighting area at Dubai and their accommodation at Sharjah: see folio 199 for an English translation of the agreement. Further correspondence relating to its renewal in 1943 can also be found in the file. The prospects for the future use of Dubai and Sharjah, as of 1946, are also briefly discussed at the end of the correspondence.
Material related to a survey of Sharjah Creek in 1939 and Dubai Creek by Bernard Whitteron in 1941 can be found between folios 36-57. This includes sketch maps the two creeks: Dubai (folio 48) and Sharjah (folios 53, and 55-56). It has been included in consideration of possible engineering work to enhance their navigability and hence their utility for flying boats.
The main correspondents are as follows: 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. , the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Bahrain (Tom Hickinbotham, Hugh Weightman, and Reginald George Alban), officials of the Air Ministry, and officials of 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. .
The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.
- Extent and format
- 1 file (465 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 466; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-465; these numbers are also written in pencil but are not circled.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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Coll 5/28 ‘Air Route to India: Air facilities on the Arab Coast; Debai Air Agreement’ [145r] (288/932), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/1978, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100061345824.0x000059> [accessed 3 May 2024]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/12/1978
- Title
- Coll 5/28 ‘Air Route to India: Air facilities on the Arab Coast; Debai Air Agreement’
- Pages
- front, 2r:21v, 23r:32v, 34r:42v, 49r:52v, 54r:54v, 57r:65v, 67r:109v, 111r:123v, 126r:177v, 179r:190v, 193r:198v, 200r:222v, 227r:401v, 403r:466v, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence