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was surveyed. No major issues were raised according to Gault. However there were

many ‘individual criticisms’ in the reports which could not be ignored and should be

acted upon by the Administration in due course. 308

A circular (number sixteen) published by the HEC on 15 March criticised the

Government on its intention to establish health and education committees with

appointed members. The Party reinstated its demands to form a Legislative Council

elected by the people. It also criticised the councils to be established with merely

advisory powers and noted that their decisions could be overruled by the

Government. The HEC called on the rejection of the health and education

committees and for those nominated not to accept their nominations. 309

The Political Agent informed Burrows of a meeting that had taken place

between him and Al-Bakir, upon the initiative of the latter, on 6 April. The HEC’s

Secretary came to inquire about Audsley who, due to his commitments elsewhere,

had promised to return to Bahrain to continue his work on the country’s labour

issues. He had heard a rumour that Audsley would not be returning to Bahrain. Al-

Bakir had promised Audsley not to proclaim his own trade union until the British

Labour Adviser had returned. He spoke of his fear of delaying the matter further as

his supporters ‘were difficult to restrain’. Gault viewed Al-Bakir’s words as a threat

and informed him that neither the Resident nor himself

approve his tactics of attacking the Bahrain Government from all sides
while refusing, and inciting others to refuse, to cooperate with that
government when invited to do so. 310

308 TNA, FO 371/114587, Gault to Burrows, 28 April 1955.
309 TNA, FO 1016/386, The Higher Executive Committee, Circular No. 16, 15 March 1955.
310 TNA, FO 371/114587, Gault to Burrows, 28 April 1955.

© Hamad E. Abdulla 104