EASTERN DEPARTMENT 1954 FROM No. No. Dated Received in Registry References to former relevant papers MINUTES (Print) 109814 (How disposed of) Mr. Pirie-Gordon's despatch covers in detail the proceedings of the fifth meeting of the Trucial Council. The main subjects discussed were Road Traffic Regulations, travel documents, the Dubai hospital, water drilling and frontiers. All these matters have appeared on the agenda of previous meetings, but hitherto the Rulers have shown considerable reserve in discussing them and have been, perhaps understandably, hesitant in offering constructive suggestions. At this meeting, however, they shed much of this reserve, and under Mr. Pirie-Gordon's able guidance there was a full and frank exchange of views. Throughout the discussions, all the Rulers, with the exception of Shaikh Shakhbut of Abu Dhabi who was in an unusually cantankerous mood, were encouragingly Co-operative and seemed genuinely appreciative of H.M.G.'s efforts on their behalf in the field of development. Indeed, the remark was made that at no time in the history of the Trucial Coast had relations between the Rulers and H.M.G. been more friendly. As Mr. Burrows rightly remarks, this happy state of affairs is in large measure due to the efforts and personal qualities of Mr. Pirie-Gordon. 2. Of the matters discussed at the meeting, some are of purely local significance, and others, e.g. the Dubai hospital and the water development programme, are being dealt with on the appropriate pa pers and require no comment here. The discussion on the draft Traffic Regulations, however, (paragraph 5 of Mr. Pirie-Gordon's despatch and paragraphs 3.-6 of the minutes) underline the need to bear in mind the Rulers' limited powers of comprehension when drafting such legislation. The Foreign Office draft was dismissed as incomprehensible, and the Rulers of Sharjah and Dubai have now produced their own versions which, though clearly inadequate, are, they claim, more suited to local conditions. "Mr. Pirie -Gordon is now trying to combine the best features (Action completed) (Index) References to later relevant papers Tuesday 46161
