TALE OF A CITY 126 “ On further consideration I have come round to the opinion that it is preferable not t o alter the existing agreement if this can be avoided. The Shaikh is pressing for an increase in his subsidy , payment of ground-rent, etc., and probably would only agree to alterations of the kind proposed if his claims are satisfied. By the time a decision is reached regarding these claims it is possible that the existing agreement will have almost if not quite expired, and we shall then find ourselves compelled to offer him further inducements to enter into a new agreement. I therefore suggest that the agreement be left as it stands and that we make up our minds as soon as possible what our requirements are for the future and what we are willing to pay for them. We may then find it convenient to negotiate a new agreement before the date of expiry of the present one. In the light of the above remarks I request that I may be authorised to inform the Shaikh that he will be paid ground rent for the R.A.R. camp with effect from the date of cessation of hostilities with Japan. I will then make recommendations regarding the amount of rent which should be offered to him.” 7 On 28 March 1947, the British Air Ministry approved the suggestions of the Gulf Political Resident and sent the following letter to the Foreign Office, India: “…about air facilities at Sharjah 2- We agree that it would be preferable not to alter the existing agreement until the time comes for its renewal. 3- The B.O.A.C. fort at Sharjah will be required by the R.A.F. if it is to be vacated by B.O.A.C. I understand, however, that B.O.A.C. may retain signals personnel at Sharjah to act as agents for theMinistry of Civil Aviation; in viewof the decision to have a signals organisation on this section of the trunk route to India. 4-We will therefore require to retain all the R.A.F. buildings at Sharjah. 5- We agree that ground rent should be paid by the R.A.F. for the R.A.F camp with effect from the end of the Japanese war. No doubt the Political Resident will in due course be forwarding his suggestions regarding the amount to be paid.”8 After the World War II in 1945, the British Prime Minister Clement Attlee, 7 Ibid., L.P.&S/12/2042, EXT.476/1947. 8 Ibid., L.P.&S/12/2042, EXT.887/1947.
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