"المباني. رقم ١٣/٤ I مراسلات بخصوص مقر الجرّاح." [و‎‎١‎٦‎٧] (٥١٠/٣٣٥)

3
(iv) .'1:1 le the ur.' ncy of tiie prefBent is & pored;., ted,
it is likely chat Agency burgeons will occupy
the proposed liouse for the next twenty years;
and the house should te designed for the future
as much as for the present — the more so as
the excellence of the site demands a reasonably
good house.
10. Regarding the rent; if the copy of your letter to
the Government of India seat with your indorsement No.£476-53/l05
dated the 3rd November, 1344, is a true copy, it appears that tne
position has been inaccurately represented to the 'Government
of Indie. The rent fixed as from the 1st April, 1944, for the
house at present occupied was Ka. 1200/- and not 750/-. In July,
1944, the figure of ia.2000/- was tentatively mentioned to the
landlord, and he was unwilling to accept it. Since then rents
have increased enormously here, and His Highness is, as yet,
unwilling or unable to control them. I attach a letter and
enclosures from the Chief Local Representative of the Kuwait oil
Company giving details of their most recent attempt to rent a
: house here. The rent asked, 1.0.300/-, amounts to about ; 3.4000/-
pei annum for an arab house in a bad state of repair without any
fittings. I think the chancss, therefore, of getting a house
, suitable for the Assistant Surgeon for lens than a. 1200/- are
remote in the extreme. For their Manager the Imperial Bank of
/ w Iran here pay :ls.3000/- per annum for an arab house converted and
fitted at their expense. ..hen His Highness built a house for the
Manager of Cable and Wireless, the Company provided all the
fittings at tneir expense. If His Highness has to pay for the
imported fittings for the doctor*8 house he will probably reouire
a proportionately higher rent, and. may insist on a higher payment
per annum or on an extension of the period of the guarantee.
LTCLOoUHE
21
11* t As the next steps I would suggest tnat the plan be
accepted in principal, that the Government of India agree
to provide the sanitary and electric fittings at their expense,
> rd that the '.W. J. should install them. 1 shouxu unen be
authorized to show the plan to His Highness and to negotiate the
best terms I can for the rent of the complete house and the site —
the terms to provide for the fittings to ucoome ills Highness*
property > rui the cost uo be recovered to tfovernnent by deductions
from the rent over a certain period. The terms negotiated would
be provisional and would then be coi.iiuunicated to you for the
approval of the Government of India bi;fo?'e acceptance. If the
berms are not acceptable to ^he Government of India, they must
themselves build for the Assistant Surgeon; and His Highness will
almost certainly expect ground rent for the site. I
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant.
*
Political Agent, Kuv.ait