Question of eligibility of Persian Gulf States for Commonwealth status

This file contains correspondence relating to the question of whether former British protectorates are eligible to join the Commonwealth. It covers matters distinguishing between protectorates and protected states: those administered by the Colonial Office can be admitted, but those administered by the Foreign Office should not. However, there are no rules governing membership of the Commonwealth and each case must be considered on its merits. It also includes an annex about the legal position under the doctrine of protection (1).