Page 136 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf - Vol II) 1907-1953

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beginning of 1952 when the oil revenue had already increased substantially it
became clear that Plant was not capable of performing the functions oi his post
cfhciently, and in April it was suggested to him privately by the Political Resident
that he should resign. He at first agreed to do so but subsequently changed his
mind. In June the Political Resident suggested orally to the Ruler that he should
dispense with Plants services, but the Ruler asked tor an order to this eftect in
writing. Plant thereupon brought a suit against Her Majesty’s Attorney-General
and the Political Resident for an injunction to restrain the taking ot any steps to
induce the Ruler of Qatar to terminate his contract. In July the Political Resident
wrote to the Ruler asking but not ordering him to dismiss Plant. The Ruler acted
accordingly and in his letter to Plant expressed himself extremely perturbed at his
institution of legal proceedings. Plant replied accepting his dismissal and
subsequently discontinued his action.
13. After Plant’s departure from Qatar Mr. Hale the State Engineer acted as
Adviser so far as general administration was concerned while Mr. Cochrane who
was commanding the State Police held independent charge of law and order.
Meanwhile numerous candidates were considered for the post and eventually
Mr. G. M. Hancock, O.B.E., was selected and accepted by the Ruler. He arrived
in Qatar in November 1952 and signed a contract for five years.
14. Since the appointment of an Adviser some progress has been made in
improving the general administration of the State, and in particular Hancock since
his arrival has directed his efforts towards creating the nucleus of an administrative
machine, instituting proper financial control within the Government and
implementing a development programme planned on orderly lines. Previously
there was no organised administration and practically the only State official was
the Director of Customs. Plant established a law court in which he and the Ruler’s
son Ahmad administered justice and brought into being a Municipal Committee :
for Dohah. A British Commandant of Police was appointed very soon after Ali’s
accession. Early in 1952 a British State Doctor and a British State Engineer 1
arrived and since then there have been a number of other increases in the
administrative staff. A primary school was built and opened in 1952.
15. Plant produced a very rough budget in 1950 when the revenue was
estimated at Rs. 65,00,000 and the expenditure Rs. 44,49,000. A more reliable
budget was produced for the Muhammadan year 1370 ending October 1, 1951, when
the revenue was estimated at Rs. 70,00,000 and the expenditure at Rs. 51,68,428.
In the Muhammadan year 1371 ending September 19, 1952, the revenue was
estimated at Rs. 321,75,000 and the expenditure at Rs. 208,65,295. No budget
was produced for the Muhammadan year 1372 ending September 10, 1953, but it
was reported that the revenue was Rs. 359,00,000 and the expenditure, including
an investment of Rs. 75,00,000 in United Kingdom securities, Rs. 259,00,000. In
! the budget for the Muhammadan year 1373 ending August 31, 1954, the revenue
is estimated at Rs. 740,77,292 and the expenditure at Rs. 668,16,489. The
investment of the State’s surplus revenue has been a matter of concern to Her
Majesty’s Government. It has been decided that for the present there is no
necessity to set up jn Investment Board on the Kuwait model (Chapter 3,
paragraph 20), and that the Adviser may be left to arrange for investment through
the Eastern Bank or other suitable agency.C*)
16. In 1952 all the customs duties were reduced to 2+ per cent, ad valorem
except those on tobacco and alcohol which remained at 10 per cent, and 15 per cent,
respectively. The Ruler has strong feelings on the subject of alcohol and early in
1953 it was reported that he was intending to following the example of the Saudis
and impose a complete prohibition on its import. This would probably have led
to a conflict with Her Majesty’s Government who could hardly have agreed to
enforce the prohibition as against persons subject to their jurisdiction. As it is
persons subject to the Ruler’s jurisdiction are prohibited from importing or
consuming alcohol while others can obtain it on permits issued by the Political
Agent under the provisions of a Queen’s Regulation.(’*)
17. Mr. Cochrane who had previously been employed with the Bahrain
Police arrived in Qatar in September 1949 to form a local police force. Progress
was gradual but by 1953 the force was 300 strong with seven British officers^ A
(") F.O. to P.R. EA 1119/6 of July 10. 1953.
('*) No. 4 of 1952.