File 2249/1915 Pt 4 ‘Oil: Mesopotamia & Persia. (General File) 1920–24’ [‎27r] (53/484)

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appendix; ^ c.
Telegram.
From—Political, Baghdad.
To—S. of S. for India.
No. 9429.
Dated 15th August, 1919.
Your telegram of 11th August. As final discussion as to future of this
country must be postponed for some considerable time it is the more necessary
to put forward certain proposals with a view to. avoiding detriment to the
interests of this country and to British Commercial interests.
I put forward the following proposals with the full approval of the G.O.C.-
in-Chief.
1. The administration of the Occupied Territories on present lines under
the supreme authority, of G.O.C.-in-Chief, Civil Commissioner working in
direct touch with 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. and copies to the Governmerit of India, to con
tinue.*
2. (The Civil Commissioner to be authorised to carry on as at present in
regard to financial matters submitting abstract of accounts in such form as may
be ordered by H.M/s Treasury to the Treasury through 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. .
3. This year's Budget as reported by telegram on the 24th July to receive
Treasury sanction. Next year’s Budget to be submitted in advance for sanc
tion, any deficit this year and next to be met from Military Vote.
4. Audit of accounts to be carried in this country subject to general con
trol of Treasury. Arrangements to this end already practically complete.
5. Approval to be given in principle to introduction of income tax next
financial year and to increase of customs duties to 15 per cent, subject to con
cessions and rebate in certain cases. Details to be submitted for approval of
Government.
6. Authority to be granted to Civil Commissioner subject in each case to
the confirmation of H.M. ’s Government, to enter into negotiations for the grant
of commercial facilities to approved firms, for acquisition of land from Govern
ment for the purposes of their business, for the acquisition of land by Land
Cmpanies for purposes of development {vide my despatch of 27th June, 1921)
and for the grant of concessions in certain cases, e.g., Electric Lighting in
Baghdad and Basrah should this be found desirable.
I attach great importance to this clause which will go far to assist import
ant British and Local Firms who are becoming not unnaturally restive under
long continued uncertainties. We owe it to them and to ourselves to enable
them to start work at'once.
Constitutional proposals sanctioned in your telegram of May -9th will take
at least a year to get into working order and should meet local needs for some
years to come.
Above proposals if sanctioned will enable us to carry on fairly satisfactorily
for another 12 months or even more and will substantially improve financial
position.
Addressed S. of S. for India repeated to Foreign Simla.
Telegram P.
From—India Office, London.
To—C.C., Baghdad.
No. Nil.
Dated 7th October, 1919.
Your telegram of 15th August, 9429.
*#*#*#
Item 6. Land proposals. Please report how many cases. j