§ Lieut.-Commander Fletcher(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further statement to make in regard to the Keelung incident?
§ Mr. EdenYes, Sir. In accordance with an arrangement come to between the Japanese Government and His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo, the Director-General of the Formosa Government yesterday addressed a letter to His Majesty's Consul at Tamsui regretting that such an unpleasant incident should have occurred, stating that appropriate steps would be taken to prevent a recurrence and inviting the co-operation of the British authorities to this end. The Governor-General, the letter went on, had reprimanded the policeman concerned for improper conduct in laying hands on a sailor under examination and 798 for using improper language to a British officer—due no doubt to his limited knowledge of the English language—and had cautioned him to be more careful in future. The letter concludes with the hope that the incident may now be regarded as closed. His Majesty's Consul has, with my authority, acknowledged this letter and agreed that the incident should be regarded as closed, and has assured the Government of Formosa that they may certainly count on his cooperation in preventing the recurrence of similar incidents in future. This settlement is regarded as acceptable by His Majesty's Government, and I feel sure that the House will agree that it is a matter of satisfaction that the case should have been finally disposed of.