| Description | Transcript of an oral history interview with Leonard Elmhirst, recorded by Victor Bonham-Carter discussing the background and history of his mission to the Middle East at the behest of Max Nicholson in the Ministry of Transport, in 1942 and 1943. In Part I, discussion centres around Palestine and concerns the state of agriculture by both Jews and Arabs in Palestine at that time. Describes agriculture in Cyprus, irrigation schemes in the Lebanon and Iraq, and disputes between British and American members of Elmhirst's team over the future economic development of the Middle East as a region.
Part II concerns food economics and rivalry between Britain and Germany for Turkish agricultural products. Also mentions food and politics in Egypt and Sudan. |