'File 8/16 Bahrain Intelligence Summaries' [‎129r] (257/330)

assistance and consideration as he had enjoyed unless it be
that the British in engaging to defend his territories night
be held to be obliged to defend then from'the eneny of want.
He was therefore all the more grateful for the readiness with
which the needs of his people had been net. It is true that
His Highness is wont periodically to express his gratitude and
regard for the British connection. But in admitting that as far
as supplies^and the effectiveness of controls was concerned his
territory was in a more favoured position than perhaps a number
of inflation-racked countries in the Middle East he appeared to
be paying a sincere tribute.
In actual fact, for sone months previously few supplies
had reached Bahrain owing to the preoccupation of shipping with
construction materials for the oil companies. But stocks were
such that no acute shortages had developed and at the time of
his visit His Highness was aware that the s.s.’‘Isnailia” carrying
2,678 tons of sugar, tea, piecegoods, and other commercial cargo
was expected*
136. Food Control
As usual before Ramadan, a meat shortage has recently been
apoarent, the probable cause being that butchers have been holdin
out for higher prices knowing that the public will pay any price
lor meat during' Ramadan. It was known that there were plenty
of animals on the Island and it became clear that the butchers
were restricting killing to keep up the price.
On^August 6th the Food Control Committee decided to remedy
this position by adopting the following arrangements:-
(1) All imports of livestock to be purchased by the Government
acting through the Manamah municipality at prices agreed
between the municipality and importers.
(2) The municipality to retail meat at % controlled rates, engaging
> . .'for the purpose tv/enty qualified butchers on a monthly
♦ salary.#
(3) Importers not accepting the municipality rates to be at
liberty to kill animals themselves but to sell at con
trolled rates.
The measures have met- with considerable success and meat
is being regularly supplier at the following prices:
Beef not exceeding Rs. 2-4- 0 per ruba
Mutton not exceeding Rs. 2-12- 0 per ruba
Goat not exceeding Rs. 2-8-0 per ruba
These prices are claimed to be 30% cheaper than prices before—
Ramadan last year and it is satisfactory that the position has
improved before the festival begins.
137. Fish.
The Food Control Committee has also taken measures to
tighten up control of the fish-sellers. Contractors and
villagers had been selling outside the towns. With the help
of the police, who have fined offenders in the Barbar and Sitra
areas, the situation has improved and fish is coming in to the
market in greater quantity. Large fresh fish are selling at
Rs.1-8-0 per ruba and small fish at Re.l/-. This is a slight
increase in price but considerably more fish is coming in to
the bazaar. The price for prawns and salted fish has gone down.
138. Dangerous drivinr;
There has recently been an increase in road accidents.
There have been^three fatal accidents in the past four months
/and