Ext 2703/44 Misr Air Corporation:- Notes of an interview with a Director (Mr Muntz) at Bahrain Agency [‎2r] (3/6)

deceived under Bahrain Endst. He.0/534-13/12 dated 26th llarch
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Notes of an
the Misr Air
agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. on the
inter vie v/ with Hr
Corporation held
17th
Muntz! of
it the!
larch 19^
J
^7
fau-by.
Mr Muntz who is a Director of Air Y/orks Limited,_ Indianc4 T ational
Airways Limited, and ia essrs. Misr Air Corporat4.(A / ga lled ] to see
me this morning, He said that he had come Tor ’tiie ’purpose
of endeavouring to interest the Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited
in running an air service for their own business. He emphasised
that his concern was entirely British and stated that he hoped
to put British airways ahead of foreign competitors. He stated
further that he was in close consulataon with Air Marshal Sir
Keith Park and that he would be granted adequate facilities by
the Royal Air Force both in the provision of spare parts and in
the use of landing grounds.
2. I said I could not understand why the Oil Company should
vfish to use aircraft and I said 1 thought that the Arabian
American Oil Company on the mainland might be interested and
possibly Messrs. Petroleum Concessions Limited who had certain
concessions on the Arab side of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . I made it
quite clear that without referring to my records I could not in
form him what, the Political reaction would be should he desire to
start operations and how his company would be affected by the
various agreements between His Majesty's Government and His
Highness the Shaikh.
Mr Muntz said that the question of agreements would have
to be dealt with by the Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited if they
were interested.
3. It seems that in 1940 Mr. Lloyd N. Hamilton of the Bahrein
Petroleum Company Limited was interested in starting a local air
service but from a conversation which I had two evenings ago with
Mr. Hamilton I am inclined to think that the interest has v/aned.
However Mr. Muntz has promised to see me again tomorrow and will
inform me of the result of the conversation which he hopes to
hold with the Gil Company Manager this afternoon.
4. On the morning of the 18th Mr. Muntz informed me that his
conversations with Hr. Hamilton and Mr. Anderson of the Bahrain
Petroleum Com any Limited had convinced him that the Company were
not interested in an air service. In answer to my enquiry about
the American Arabian Oil Company he said that he had discovered
that owing to the absence of Mr. Ohliger the General Manager it
would be necessary for him to visit the United States if he
desired to contact their Directors.
No . 471-S
Confidential
British Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. & Consulate General,
Bushire, the 22nd May 1944.
Copy forwarded with compliments to-
bCu The secretary of State for India j
T The 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. ,
u*) * London.
rf
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New Delhi.
Du (Vhk. A WA ^ *
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. r r ’he Secretary to the Government of Indi: ,
, in the External Affairs Department,
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