Concessions in Bahrein [Bahrain], Kuwait, &c: correspondence, 1932-Jul 1933 (Colonial Office Secret Print, Middle East No.49) [‎95v] (192/284)

iti4
:6; In August, 1931, the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, largely on account of
representations made to them by the Petroleum Department, renewed their applica-
tion in regard to Kuwait and announced their readiness to make a further geological
examination, which was subsequently carried out.
(9) It was not until December, 1931, that any representations were made by
the United States Government. r . a - i iqqi
Some of these points were set out in the Foreign Office ^Mote ot 9th April,
(E. 1733/121/9.1),* which was sent to the United States Government.
It will be seen from the above summary what while it may be tiue that fox some
four years the Eastern and General Syndicate have been endeavouring to obtain a
concession in Kuwait, British interests have been negotiating for very much longer,
and without any greater success
At a Conference held at the Colonial Office on the 1st January, 1932, the lepre-
sentative of the Foreign Office agreed that provided the Anglo-Persian Oil C ompany
were serious in their intentions as regards Kuwait it would be as well to keep the
position open for the present as far as the United States was concerned.
As regards the complaint of delay in completing the comparison of the two draft
concessions referred to in your letter, the Secretary for Mines desires to point out
that it is not the case that no progress has been made in the matter. A critical
examination of the Eastern and General Syndicate's draft had already been prepared
in the Petroleum Department when the Anglo-Persian Oil Company's draft concession
was received. It was agreed, however, at a Departmental Conference that it would be
advisable to defer sending this until a comprehensive statement could be drawn
up. comparing the relative merits of the two drafts. In point of fact, the Anglo-
Persian Oil Company's draft was not received in the Petroleum Department until
14th September, at a time when, as it happened, the staff of the Department was
depleted by illness, and many other more urgent questions had to be dealt with. It
cannot be accepted, moreover, that the delay of four years, to which Mr. Mellon
refers, can be attributed to the Petroleum Department, and it would be futile to
suggest that a delay of a few weeks in comparing the terms of the draft concessions
has in any way prejudiced the Eastern and General Syndicate or the Anglo-Persian
Oil Company.
The points involved in considering the draft concessions raise technical questions
of some difficulty, but the Secretary for Mines hopes to be in a position to submit a
statement comparing the two draft concessions within the next few days.
A copy of this letter is being sent to the Colonial Office, India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. and Admiralty.
I am, &c.,
F. C. STARLING
(Director).
C. 98026 32 [No. 123].
No. 174.
PETROLEUM DEPARTMENT to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Dean Stanley Street, Millbank, Westminster,
Sir , London, S.W.I, 9th November, 1932.
With reference to the recent interdepartmental discussions which have taken
place in regard to the grant of oil concessions in Kuwait, I am directed by the Secretary
for Mines to enclose for the information of Secretary Sir Phillip Cunliffe-Lister copy
of a memorandum which has been prepared in the Petroleum Department comparing
the draft concessions submitted by the Eastern and General Syndicate and the Anglo-
Persian Oil Company.
I am, &c.,
F. C. STARLING,
Director.
* Enclosure in No. 137.