5.x
4
5
Gps Pensent.
Thinks that there is
C
unsunderstanding
As to the position löken by the T. Sot, and
sales
that the Leasury
of the ohmion that.
defialety
the expense of the
Reference should not be borne on
Imperial Junds
A
It seems to me that we must now ask for a
decision as to which of three possible courses are to
be taken:
(1) We can press the Treasury officially in
the matter, pointing out that this is not an appeal but
a reference to the Privy Council by His Majesty on the
advice of the Secretary of State for the Colonies; that
the Colonial Office has no Solicitor's Department or
Legal Vote; and that it has always been the established
practice that where it is necessary for the Secretary
of State to incur legal expenses, he goes to the
Treasury Solicitor.
(2)
To insist, if we can, upon Hong Kong bear-
ing the cost. I do not feel so clear about this as I
did in a minute which I wrote previously.
(3) To write to the Treasury, Admiralty, and
other Departments concerned, saying that, notwithstand-
ing the advice of the Law Officers, we are unable to
proceed with the matter, as we cannot ask Hong Kong
to bear costs incurred by the Secretary of State and
the Treasury refuse to allow the Treasury Solicitor to
incur them, and that therefore the erroneous law of
piracy which we are told now exists in the East must
remain, with all the inconveniences and even dangers
which that may involve.
A
1.10.32.
I think we should proceed as in (1),