Coll 5/33 ‘Air-route to India: Landing ground at Gwadur; Muscat Civil Air Agreement’ [‎149v] (298/723)

•In^theae circumstances Lord Swinton would prefer to
base the increased rentals at Bahrein and Gwadar on the general
increase in use by Imperial Airways of the facilities provided
and would be prepared to seek Treasury authority for either of
the following alternatives,
(a) Lew Agreements for 7 years at an increased rental of
£1,000 a year with retrospective effect to the date when
the service was duplicated, viz: 1st January, 1935,
covering the privileges enumerated under "A” and ’’B” of .
the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. *s Express Letter 894/S of 27th
Lovember last,
or (b) to revise the existing agreements to provide for their
continuance for a further period of 7 years with an
increased payment of £150 a year in respect of each
additional service undertaken by Imperial Airways over
and above the first service covered by the payment of
£500 a year under the original agreement.
Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. should be informed of the fore
going views and be asked to consider the possibility of negotiating
agreements with the rulers of Bahrein and Muscat on one or other
of the bases suggested,in substitution for the existing agreements
which are not due to expire until the 6th June 1938 and 25th
October, 1938, respectively. Colonel Fowle will no doubt point
out to the rulers concerned that under the first alternative they
would receive a guaranteed annual amount, irrespective of the
number of services in operation, whilst under the latter arrange
ment, there is a possibility of variation in the amounts payable,
as in the event of an improvement in the endurance of machines
employed on this route, landings at one of the intermediate
stopping places might be rendered unnecessary. It is assumed
that in view of the increased payments offered under either
alternative, the Sultan of Muscat would agree to non-payment of
Customs duty in the first instance, instead of the present
unfortunate system of a quarterly refund.
landing ground is not scheduled as a regular stopping place
under the Empire Air Mail Scheme and it will only be used on
special occasions or in emergency. Lord swinton does not
consider, therefore, that any reason exists for an increase in
the annual payment of £500 to the ruler.
A copy of a letter dated 5th March, 1936, which has
been received from Imperial Airways Ltd. with regard to the
difficulty which is being experienced by the Company in obtaining
refund of duty on petrol and oil uplifted at Gwadar from 26th
October, 1934, to 31st December, 1935, is also attached, and I
am to request that the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
may be asked to take such action as is possible with a view to
obtaining the refund of duties in accordance with the Civil
Air Agreement.
I am accordingly to suggest that the Political
With regard to Koweit, I am to explain that this
I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,