841.6363/423
The British Ambassador (Lindsay) to the Secretary of State
No. 203 (C. 277)
Washington, 6 July,
1936.
Sir: I have the honour to refer to your note of June 3, 1936, with which you forwarded to me a copy of an opinion by the Attorney General indicating that under certain conditions Great Britain is to be regarded as a reciprocal country under the provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act of February 25, 1920.
- 2.
- I have now received telegraphic instructions from His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to inform you that the Petroleum (Production) Act, 1934, of Great Britain and the Petroleum (Production) Regulations, 1935, made thereunder are construed as permitting participation by United States citizens and corporations under conditions no less favourable than those indicated in the Attorney General’s letter. The matter is not adversely affected by any other statutes, regulations or amendments in Great Britain. [Page 741] In these circumstances the Secretary for Mines is prepared to grant the application of the Anglo-American Oil Company for prospecting licences over certain areas in Great Britain and to proceed with the issue of licenses to the company. Before doing so however he desires to obtain confirmation that in view of these further explanations the United States Government does in fact regard Great Britain as a reciprocal country under the Mineral Leasing Act, 1920.
- 3.
- I am instructed to communicate the above considerations to the United States Government and to enquire whether they enable the required confirmation to be given.
I have [etc.]
R. C. Lindsay