IOR/L/PS/10/661/5

This part contains interdepartmental correspondence and memoranda relating to lighting and buoying in the Persian Gulf.

Notable topics of discussion include the following:

• Changes to RIMS Nearchus and its personnel (referred to as its 'revised permanent establishment')
• Proposed new arrangements for financing lighting and buoying in the Gulf
• Proposed alterations to RIMS Lawrence, to enable it to carry out lighting and buoying work in place of Nearchus and in addition to its present duties
• The sale of Nearchus to the Basra Port Directorate
• The estimated cost of alterations to and the upkeep of Lawrence for the performance of its duties as both the despatch vessel for the Political Resident and the lighthouse tender in the Gulf, and how this cost should be shared between British Indian and Imperial revenues
• The cost of a replacement vessel while Lawrence undergoes its annual refit
• Plans for all expenditure relating to lighting and buoying in the Gulf to be recovered by dues on shipping using the lights from 1 November 1925 onwards
• The proposed replacement of Lawrence by Nearchus as lighthouse tender in the Gulf.

The principal correspondents are as follows: the Viceroy of India; the Secretary of State for India; the Director of the Royal Indian Marine; officials of the India Office, the Foreign Office, the Admiralty, the Government of India's Marine Department, the Government of India's Department of Commerce, and the Indo-European Telegraph Department (Persian Gulf Section).

Also included are statements of expenditure for Nearchus and a précis of correspondence concerning Lawrence.