Visit of Colonel Hugh Oldman, Defence Secretary of Oman, to UK; includes appointment of a deputy

This file relates to the activities and travel of the Oman Defence Secretary Colonel H R D Oldman. It contains correspondence concerning:

• The visit to the UK of Colonel Oldman on leave from Oman, and his meetings with various officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Ministry of Defence, including: Secretary of State Joseph Godber, R S Crawford, A D Parsons, the Chiefs of Staff, and the Defence Secretary Lord Carrington [Peter Carington]
• The return of Oldman halfway through his leave to Oman to negotiate with a delegation from Saudi Arabia
• The wish of Oldman to appoint a deputy defence secretary; HMG’s suggestion of candidates, including Brigadier R F Semple; and fears that Semple is unsuitable for the role
• Lord Carrington’s suggestion that the subject of help to Oman should be raised with Iran
• The Sultan of Oman Qaboos Bin Saeed Al Said’s suggestion that Oldman retire soon, and his insistence that HMG encourage this