IOR/R/15/1/707

The file deals with the issue of the supplementary judicial powers that would be required by the British administration in the Persian Gulf in the event of war, and includes the following papers:

• papers dated October 1937 - July 1938 concerning the question of war emergency legislation in the Persian Gulf, including a paper by Sir Trenchard Craven William Fowle, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf outlining the strategic importance of the region, the existing judicial position, and required legislation, October 1937; response to Fowle's paper from a representative of the Foreign Office, October 1937; and minutes of a meeting to discuss the question held at the India Office, November 1937;
• papers dated December 1937 - May 1939 concerning the draft Persian Gulf States (Emergency) Order in Council;
• papers dated March 1938 - April 1939 concerning draft King's Regulations;
• papers dated October 1938 - April 1939 relating to draft Defence Regulations, which were based on suggestions made by Fowle;
• papers dated October 1938 - January 1939 concerning the draft Trading with the Enemy Bill;
• papers dated November 1938 - May 1939 relating to the issue by Gulf Rulers of draft 'alans' (legislative announcements) in the event of war, particularly in terms of the implications of the Rulers' renouncement of neutrality, should they formally side with the British;
• papers dated April 1939 - May 1939 concerning proposals for a Trucial Coast Order in Council;
• draft circular letter entitled 'Draft Letter to be Issued to the Shaikhs of the Trucial Coast in the Event of War', requesting their co-operation on behalf of the British Government, written by the Political Agent, Bahrain [Hugh Weightman], with covering letter dated 13 May 1939.

The covering dates for the correspondence (the main body of papers) in the file are 20 October 1937 - 30 May 1939. The final date in the overall date range is supplied by an entry in the notes at the rear of the file.