Coll 20/27 'Muscat: Taxation of British subjects' [‎18r] (35/120)

also lies with the Huscat Government and as soon as a list
of taxes they propose to impose is submitted to and approvec
by me, the list can be exhibited under Kings Regulation 1
of 1955. My own opinion, however, is that considering a
new treaty is about to be negotiated shortly with the
Sultan, in which the whole question of taxes of all sorts
will be raised, there is little advantage in having these
taxes which have been paid for many years now by British
subjects and which have the force of custom if nothing else
behind them, put on a formal and legal basis. If I thought
that their regularization would in any way strengthen our
position with the Sultan over the new treaty, I would of
course fall in with Becketts' opinion at paragraph 7 of
his minute that they should be formally regularized. I do
not see that we actually gain the advantage, ja&L/in any case
I can do nothing until the Muscat Government submit this
list for my approval.
(3) State Taxation. Taxes (f) to (j) in paragraph 2 of my
above cited letter. My remarks on Municipal taxation apply
with even greater force tc these taxes, more particularly
as their legal imposition would involve the making of a
new Kings Regulation. Here again these taxes have been paid
by British subjects without demur for many years, and I
would prefer to leave them alone.
am sending copies of this letter to Metcalfe and Watts.
-C-hvSZc