'ملف رقم 19/169 III (C 80) الإصلاحات في البحرين' [و‎‎٥‎٣] (٣٧٨/١١٨)

of the attacks on Bahrain which have appeared of late in tne
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Arab Press is that Belgrave is the real Ruler of Bahrain, the
Shaikh having been reduced to a cypher. In so far as the snaikh
and his Family are concerned, the agitator would doubtless be of
the opinion that they should receive for their own share of the
revenue far less than they do at present. I nave no doubt that
were an Executive Council ever to materialise in Banrain, tne
first step they would take would be to cut down drastically tne
share of the State revenues at present enjoyed by tne Al Khalifah
Family. I expect that even a nominated Advisory Council would
try and make a move sooner or later in tne same direction, and
that this is one of the reasons why the idea of a Council is so
unpopular with the Family. It is quite true that, as far as I
can see, the State revenues are being well spent on preserving
law and order - Police, and on improvements and social services,
but from the agitator's point of view this does not cover the
large sum absorbed annually by the Family, nor the agitator's
farther point (which he would doubtless make) that if there were
some popular control on finance such improvements and services
would be even more extensive and more economical. (I am not
of course saying that this would be the cases I am merely putting
forward the agitator's arguments.)
In so far as the Municipalities are concerned, it is quite
true that they give the people a measure of control in municipal
matters, but the agitator would reply - this is not sufficient,
and as the Municipalities have been well administered (which I
; " ; f
believe is the case) why should not the people be given still
more power ?
/ (e)