Coll 30/133 'Persian Gulf. Trucial Coast: Appointment of a Medical Officer' [‎33r] (65/257)

At present the officer responsible for Qatar is
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. , Bahrein. Ife is also responsible,
while the post of Political Officer, Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. ,
is vacant, for the whole of the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. ; and with
the difficulty of transport he must be unable to give
the attention to these areas that the increasing
activities of the oil companies would warrant.
Apparently Col. Hay considers that the Sheik of
Qatar would be unwilling to agree to the appointment
of a Political Officer as such in Qatar; but if he is
willing that a dispensary should be established with a
doctor in charge who could also fulfil political
functions if necessary, this difficulty would be
obviated. Under Article 8 of the treaty with Qatar of
1916 the Sheik undertook "to receive, should the
British Government deem it advisable, an Agent from
the British Government who shall remain at Al-Bidaa
for the transaction of such business as the British
Government may have with me and to watch over the
interests of British traders residing at ny ports or
visiting them upon their lawful occasions."
A letter was addressed to the Sheik by the Politica 1
Resident on the date of signature of the treaty saying
that the British Government saw no necessity at that
time for the execution of Article 8 and would not give
, «T ... . , . , , ., , - , , _ ,,
effect to them without obtaining the consent of the Sheik.
It seems, however, very unlikely that the Government
of India will sanction funds for the establishment of a
dispensary at Dohah now that H.M.G. is about to take over
administrat ive/