"ملف 8/16 تقارير استخباراتية بشأن البحرين" [و‎‎١‎٩‎٣] (٤٣٢/٣٨٥)

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supply. During the porio^ undor report pomo 63.0 tone of
(excluding H.S. c®rgo; hp.vo arrived in Bahrain, and the position
has boon temporarily eased. The amount of 630 tons (which include...
a special consignment of 450 tons arranged by the Government of
India) represents about five weeks consumption. During the same
period some 72 tons of wheat flour arrived in Bahrain (exclusive
of flour for re-export to Saudi Arabia). This amount represents
about 10 days consumption.
P (ii) In the second half of June (vide para 118 (i) of Intelli
gence Summary No.12 of 1942) the margin of profit allowed to
merchants importing rice and flour was raised from 10 % to^20%.
This concession was made in order to induce merchants to import
these commodities into Bahrain rather than to other ports in the
Persian Gulf, especially those in Saudi Arabia, where no price
control existed and where profits were phenomenally high. The
system of issuing permits for the export of quota goods from India
has recently been changed, and the Bahrain Government, owing to
the power which they now have to distribute quotas as they please
among local merchants, are no longer compelled to pander to their
avarice. The margin of profit allowed on imported quota goods
has accordingly been reduced to 5%. Merchants who are not pre
pared to accept this profit will not be given a share in the trade
in rice, flour, sugar etc.? those who do accept the profit of 5%
will be compelled to import foodstuffs to the limit of the quota
allotted to them on pain of forfeiting their right to future
quotas.
P (iii) The presence in Bahrain of so many Defence-personnel
dependent on the local market for supplies of fresh food has
drained the bazaar of most of its usual stocks. Eggs and potatoes
are unobtainable, while moat and vegetables cost so much that only
the wealthier classes can afford them. The price of dates has
risen, but fish is plentiful and still comparatively cheap.
(iv) Though there are extensive date gardens on the island,
Bahrain has always had to supplement its supply of locally grown
dates with imports'from Arabia and Iraq to the value of several
lakhs of rupees annually-. This year difficulty is being ex
perienced in obtaining dates since their export from Hasa has been
forbidden and their price in Iraq is prohibitive. ^Private
negotiations are in progress which will result, it is hoped, in^
permission being given for the export to Bahrain from Hasa of 10,00
galias of dates (valued at about Fs 30,000), but efforts to obtain
dates from Iraq at a reasonable price have so far proved abortive.
Iraqi date owners, it is reported, refuse to sell locally at the
price fixed by the Iraq Government as they can secure higher prices
in Syria. ’Yhether Bahrain, in order to secure its minimum
essential requirements of dates, should make purchases in the
’black market’ is a question which is now being given consideration
by His Highness the Shaikh.
(v) Various members of the A1 Khalifah, when applying fer^
ration cards, supplied exaggerated figures of the number of their
dependents. The”Food Controller had neither the knowledge nor
the courage to reduce those figures to their correct proportions,
but His Highness the Shaikh has now intervened and appointed his
cousin, Shaikh Ibrahim bin Mohammed bin Isa al hhalifah, to^be a
member of the Food Control Advisory Committee^with the special
duty of seeing that members of the Ruling Family do not take
advantage of their position to secure preferential treatment in
the distribution of food rations.
222. Food Supplies - S au di A rabia,.
Reference para 199 of Intelligence Summary No.18 of 194?
in which it was reported that His Highness the Shaikh of Bahrain
had agreed to release 300 tons of wheat on loan to the Saudi Govern--
ment. The amount which has actually been shipped to Saudi Ar^bi-^
is 3000 bags (225 tons). It is not known if or when shipment^of
the balance of the 75 tons promised will be asked for by the Saudi
Government. .
/ 223.