§ 26. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who is the official British representative now in Formosa; and what are his duties.
§ Mr. NuttingMr. E. H. Jacobs-Larkcom is Her Majesty's Consul at Tamsui. His duties are the normal duties of a consular officer, to protect British interests and residents in his consular district; he has contact only with the Governor of Formosa and the provincial authorities.
§ Mr. HughesIs it not rather a queer position when the Government of Formosa is under the command of Chiang Kai-shek? Does not this mean that in some way it is understood in China that we recognise the Government of Chiang Kai-shek?
§ Mr. NuttingNo representations, protests or complaints have been made by the Central People's Government of China about our having consular representation in Formosa. As to the question whether it is a strange position, it happened in Mexico when we broke off diplomatic relations in connection with the oil dispute but kept consular representatives there.
§ Mr. MacleanCan my hon. Friend say whether the Peking Government accord full diplomatic status to our representative in Peking?
§ Mr. NuttingHe has the normal diplomatic privileges.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanAre we to understand from the original answer that the Consul in Formosa is not accredited to the Government of Chiang Kai-shek? If that is not so, is it not anomalous that we should have diplomatic representatives accredited to the Government we recognise and to the Government we do not?
§ Mr. NuttingHe is not accredited to the Government in Formosa and, therefore, no anomaly arises.
§ Mr. MacleanCould my hon. Friend make it clear whether the Chinese Government in Peking have accorded full recognition to our diplomatic representative?
§ Mr. NuttingThe Government of Peking have recognised Her Majesty's 932 Government's Chargé d'Affaires—I think I am quoting it correctly—as the British Government's negotiating representative in China.