He was also given responsibility for Cyprus, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Palestine, the Sudan, Syria and Turkey.

Hughes performed a quasi-diplomatic role, sending briefings to the Department of External Affairs on Middle Eastern politics.

His successor James Payne remained in the post throughout World War II.

Prior to 1977, accreditation for Syria was held by the embassies in Beirut, Lebanon (1973–1976) and Baghdad, Iraq (1976–1977).

[4] In 1991, with its independence, accreditation for Eritrea was held by the High Commission in Nairobi, until it was transferred to the embassy in Cairo in 2006.