Papers of the Mesopotamian Administration (later Middle East) Committee [‎15r] (29/80)

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MH, CI-IAMBERLAIlf thought that they might also reoommead that
he should submit for the time being a fortnightly Progress
Report direct to his Department,
SIR THOiiAS HOLDERNSSS expressed uncertainty as to what the
appointment of High Commissioner would actually involve in
practice as regards the position and powers of civil officials.
At present any assistant political officers wore under the
General Officer Commanding,, In the terms of the Civil Admini
stration code they ware under General Maude in the same way
as Sir Percy Cox was.
MAv. CKAMBEAIAIN said that what Sir Percy desired of His
Majesty's Government was merely that they should accord him the
right to report to that Government direct.
LORD MILKER o.greed that this was the point to which Sir
Percy attached the most importance.
MRo CHAMBKRIulIU said that if this sanction were accorded
either General Maude or Sir Percy Cox would submit recommenda
tions, but that, in urgent cases., where timo did not admit of
reference to Eis Majesty’s Government, General Maude’s opinion
would hold. He aided that of course Sir Percy Cox would
always send General Maude a copy of any report he might send
to England.
SIR HAIRY MoMAHCK stated that, in his opinion, nothing
short of appointing Sir Percy Cox High Commissioner would meet
the case. He already had the power to report direct to the
Indian Government, and he only asked now for formal permission
to report to England in order that his status might be clearly
defined* It had boon definitely stated that all political
officials were under the Military Commander, and it was evident
that Sir Percy wished to place himself on a new footing.
SIR ROKAJM? GRAHAM wGlidere d
desirable so far as our position
of the world was concerned*
whether this new departure was
vis A vis Russia in that part
IHE CHAIRMAH considered that, so far from weakening, it
would in reality strengthen cur hands. Ho suggested that the
Committee might take the following action:-
(a) Ask the Government of India their views on the pro
posed appointment of Kir Percy Cox as High Commissioner,
(b) Ask the Government of India if they thought that this
modification of the existing Administration would
affect our position as regards Russia,
(o) Ask the Indian Government whether they would prefer
that he should be appointed Provisional High Com
missioner .
They might also ask the Indian Government for their views
about the suggestion that Sir Percy Cox should report direct to
His Majesty’s Government,
MR* CKAblBE RL AIH reminded the Committee that Sir Percy had
been invited to proceed to India in c-rder that he should state
definitely what were his actual grounds for complaint, which at
present seemed to him somewhat vague.
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