'File 19/176 VI Bahrain Finances' [‎112r] (224/253)

There is a limit to the extent that Belgrave, who is the
Shaikh's own servant, can check him in this respect; and
the responsibility Tor doing so rests (as long as it is
Ills Majesty's government's policy to concern themselves
with the administration of the State in the interest of
our defence and other commitments here) with the Political
Agent, and, ultimately, with the Resident.
5. Nor should we ignore, or omit to prepare for, the
fact that some day the people of Bahrain may insist on
taking an increasing share in the administration of the
Stace. ,/hen public opinion develops and becomes more
vocal - a condition that will result from education and
increasing contacts with the outside world - it is likely
to be directed against defects in che administration;
against the personal affluence of the Ruler and the A1
Khalifah; and, by analogy, against us because we have per
mit tea these things. The facts that the Ruler's personal
income exceeds some £120,000 a year, free of tax, and that,
in addition, certain of his personal expenses and the
allowances to his family are paid from the general revenues
will not then be lost upon informed members of the public.
Indeed, they are not now. Also, His Ilajesty's Government
have, I understand, already directed their Middle East
Office to work for the wider distribution of wealth in the
Arab world. Thus, any relaxation of our efforts to keep
the Ruler's share of the State's income within its present
bounds, or any acquiescence in increases in the A1 khalifah's
allowances at the expense of the general revenues, would
appear to be not only a retrograde rather Chan a forward
step towards the emancipation of the people of Bahrain, but
contrary to His Majesty's Government's recently formulated
policy.
6. 1 would urge, therefore, that the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. be
authorised to inform the Ruler that His Majesty's Government
are now, as in the past, strongly averse to the increased
allowances on the Civil List salaries - which ?/ere sanctioned
by the Ruler without consulting the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. - being
charged to general revenues; and that he should meet them
irom his share of the oil royalties, or from his own reserves.
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