IOR/L/PS/18/B254

The report details the investigation undertaken by the sub-committee in looking at the division of work between the Indian and Mesopotamian services, and sources of recruitment for the latter. The recommendations based on the report comprise:

• The limits of the Bagdad Vilayet and the question of holy places: focusing particularly on the need for British Control of the canal system and land irrigated by it.
• Arab administration in Bagdad Vilayet: discussing the unsuitability of the 'Irak Code' in administering Bagdad and the need to maintain the local judicial system as far as possible.
• Headquarters of Government: stating that their belief that the title and place of residence of the Head of the Mesopotamian Administration would depend on the future of the Basra Vilayet and that the title needed to ensure the continuing the Arab 'facade'.
• Civil Service: Regarding the potential need for a special Civil Service for Mesopotamia, the possibility of amalgamating it with the Sudan, and the likely need for Officers from the Indian Services.
• West and South Coast of Persian Gulf: proposing that the Arabian littoral of the Persian Gulf be placed under the control of Mesopotamian authorities instead of the Government of India.
• Aden and South Coast of Arabia: recommending that the opportunity be taken to relieve the Government of India of Aden and its dependencies.

The report concludes by recommending that administrative arrangements for Mesopotamia should be consistent with the future policy of His Majesty's Government and discussing possible alternatives for the current international position of the Bagdad Vilayet.

The Sub-Committee was composed of Thomas William Holderness; Mark Sykes; Arthur Henry McMahon; (Frederic) Arthur Hirtzel; Ronald Graham; and George R Clerk. The secretary to the Committee, who produced the report dated 27 March 1917 was John Evelyn Shuckburgh.