along the Gulf in a service aircraft of the Royal Air Force to investigate local conditions. This reconnaissance was carried out in the autumn of 1925, and in September of that year Air Vice-Marshal Sir Sefton Brancker, the Director of Civil Aviation, visited Tehran with a view to assisting the British Minister, Sir Percy Loraine, in arranging an agreement for the service with the Persian Government. A satisfactory agreement was concluded in less than a week, largely owing to the cordial relations existing between Riza Khan (then Prime Minister of Persia) and Sir Percy Loraine. The Persian representatives reaffirmed their desire to conform to the terms of the International Air Convention. They were very definite in their view that the ground organisation of the route must be Persian, but indicated that it was impossible for Persia to contribute towards the cost of it. Notes were exchanged in which it was agreed (subject to ratification by the Mejlis of the International Air Convention) to allow Imperial Airways Limited, to operate a fortnightly service, the British Government undertaking to provide any sheds, buildings and wireless equipment necessary. These items were to become Persian property when completed, with the exception of the wireless equipment, which was to be sold to Persia on a basis of periodic payments. It was indicated during these negotiations that the Persians were ready within their limitations to give effect to their obligations under the Convention to afford liberty of innocent passage across their territory and to provide facilities therefor. The ratification by the Mejlis of the Convention, however, was deferred through 1926 in spite of the endeavours of the British Minister, and this fact was used as a pretext for withholding permission for the operation of the service by Imperial Airways between Basrah and Karachi. Meanwhile, work on the organisation of the route began; measures were taken for the erection of huts and the installation of petrol tanks; and wireless equipment was delivered. In December 1926 the Persian Government gave orders that work on the ground organisation of the route must cease and that the service could not be permitted. In January 1927 Air Vice-Marshal Sir Sefton Brancker again visited Tehran, where Sir Robert Clive had just arrived as British Minister. Conferences were held and promises were made that the Convention would be ratified at an early date. Subsequently, however, it became clear that the Persian Government had in fact at that time no intention of carrying out their agreement. It would appear that their attitude was due to three reasons:— (i) The route would be of no great value to Persia herself. (ii) The Persian Government did not wish the route to be administered by foreigners and feared the responsibility and cost of administering it themselves. (iii) The Persian Government were afraid that the regular operation of a British civil air service would increase British influence in the Persian Gulf. The discussion reached a deadlock, which persisted until it became possible to bring pressure to bear on the Persians to reopen the negotiations under the terms of the new treaty with Persia concluded in the spring of the present year (1928). Following on a visit to Tehran by the General Manager of Imperial Airways, Limited, in June 1928, the Persian Government has agreed to allow the Company as from January 1929 to operate a limited service along the route, using only Bushire and Jask as aerodromes and Lengeh as an emergency landing ground. The Persian Government have said, categorically, that permission will not be renewed after a period of three years has expired, which in their opinion should allow the Company time to study the possibilities of operating a Central Persian route through Tehran, the route which they wish followed. The Persian Government also insist on retaining the ground organisation for the three years’ service along the Persian Gulf in their own hands, including the provision of petrol installations and the provision and operation of the wireless service. This offer, which has several very undesirable restrictions attaching to it, is now receiving the consideration of the Air Ministry and Imperial Airways, Limited. The Air Route along the Arabian Shore. It is desired for this air route to establish refuelling grounds at intervals of about 200 miles and emergency landing grounds at intervals of 30-50 miles. It would not be necessary normally for aircraft to refuel at all these landing grounds, but at certain times of year strong adverse winds are encountered in these regions and may make an intermediate landing necessary for fuel. The route is described below by sections. At the present time flights have only been made over the Kuwait and
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