Coll 5/68 ‘Air route to India: Air facilities on the Arab Coast; Security of the Air Route; emergency landing arrangements’ [‎20r] (43/113)

Bristol 22051
M5QX9Q2SJC32XX
Telephone:
Extn.
Any communications on the
subject of this letter should
be addressed to :—
THE UNDER SECRETARY
OF STATE,
^and the following number
juoted:—
3.^6952/0.0.1.
A
7418
ID
Cj/ w w*
N.A.O. Headquarters,
AIR MINISTRY,
wmxmpm&2i
25> Julian Road,
Stoke Bishop,
u $ristol. 9*
24 November, 1959*
Sir,
I am directed by the Secretary of State for Air to
refer to 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. letter of 20th July, No. P.Z. it-lA2/59
enclosing a copy of an express letter from the Political
Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. regarding arrangements on the
Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. in the event of civil disturbances.
2. Sir Kingsley^ood, who is grateful for /tHe exhaustive
review made by 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. , has given careful 4
consideration to the determination of suitable ^alternatives .to
Dabai and Sharjah in consultation with Imperial Airways.
He shares the Company’s view that from an operational point. .•
of view, a combined marine and land airport at Ras-el-Khaimah
would be the best alternative, and in normal circumstances he
would suggest that 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. should negotiate
with the Sheikh of Ras-el-Khaimah to enable the desired
facilities to be provided. In view, hoover, of the War and
the need for rigid economy. Sir Kingsley Wood now feels that
the expenditure on providing the necessary ground organisation
and on obtaining the necessary permission from the Sheikh would
not be justified, especially as the Empire services are now
reduced in number and are not under the same obligation as
previously to adhere to a strict schedule. Imperial Airways
have, therefore, agreed with his suggestion that until such time
as it is possible to provide a combined airport at Ras-el-Khaimah
Kalba should be regarded as the alternative land aerodrome to
Sharjah, and Ras-el-Khaimah as the alternative alighting area to
Dabai, with their existing facilities. Imperial Airways have,
however, stated that it would be of great assistance if
permission could be-granted to them to transfer, during the
period of an emergency, the control launch (which is equipped
with wireless) from Dabai to Ras-el-Khaimah provided that such
procedure would not involve negotiating a fresh agreement with
the Sheikh. In a telsrgram dated l 6 th June, 1999 ( 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.
reference ,P.Z. 57^9/99/ 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. expressed the
view that measures to render Ras-el-Khaimah a regular emergency
stop, i.e. stationing of a re-fuelling launch and the right to
erect, temporarily on the shore, a wireless set when required^
needed the Sheikh’s permission. Sir Kingsley Wood will, however,
be grateful if 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. will consider whether a
temporary visit by the control launch to Ras-el-Khaimah would
be contrary to the terms of the agreement with the Sheikh^and
if so, whether the Sheikh might be induced to make such a"*
concession without the negotiation of a new agreement.
The Under Secretary of State,
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. ,
Whitehall,
London.
ENCLOSURE IN AIR MAIL LETTEI
No- 2 -9 JAN 1940
FROM SECRETARY, POLITICAL DEPl
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.
COPY SENT DY AIR MAH
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