Page 505 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947

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Total number of passengers disembarked:-
Eastbound 1342
Westbound 1013
Kes. Embarked Kes. Disembarked

Freight 7814.551 78399.930
Stores 11646.400 151363.160
Civil and
Troop Mail 12337.900 16376.700
Diplomatic Mail 1036.000 2100.740
precious cargo 2145.979 722.600
26. PETROLEUM COL’CESSIONS LIMITED.
War time conditions and their aftermath during
1945 again prevented the Petroleum Concessions Limited
from obtaining personnel and equipment with which to
carry out geological exploration or drilling in the
concession areas in the Persian Gulf. Towards the end
of the year, however, it became possible to make some
preparations towards geological exploration in the
Trucial Coast and hinterland, and for resumption of
drilling in Qatar* early in 1946.
With the end of the war with Germany and Japan,
the Ruler of Qatar showed a revival of interest in the
re-opening of the Qatar Field, lie again drev/ attention
to the oil developments in the territories of his
neighbours, Bahrain and Arabia, and he is not easily
persuaded that every effort is being made to recommence
drilling and expedite production.

On the 20th I'&rch, 1945, an oil concession
agreement was concluded with the Ruler of Unm-al-Qaiwain
on terms which compare with the ether concessions on
the Trucial Coast.
Towards the end of the year the Company were
in correspondence with this Agency on the subject of
the use of Company Aircraft in the Persian Gulf and
Muscat territory, Approval has also been obtained
to the construction of a Company Landing ground in
Qatar.
27. THE ROYAL AIR FORCE.

Early in the year under review Air Commodore
Oliver accompanied by rather more than 20 experts made
a survey of the new R.A.F. commitments on MUharraq
Island and informed the political Agent that the per­
sonnel of the R.A.F. would be increased by a further
600 men during the summer. The progress with the
laying of pierced steel sheeting alongside the runv/ays
has been satisfactory. Later a firm of Palestinian
contractors commenced work on the laying of pierced
steel sheeting on a bitumen and sand foundation on
the main runways themselves, and making other improve-
ments.
(Continued)