A. 9794
28th July, 1934.
•414
8
[18]
therein
Sir,
I am directed by the Treasury Solicitor to refer to
Mr. Cowell's letter (13758/33) of the 18th November, 1933,
transmitting an Order of His Majesty in Council of the 10th
November, 1933, referring to the Judicial Committee of the
Privy Council certain questions as to the elements constituting
the crime of piracy jure gentium, and to report that the
necessary steps were taken as therein requested to bring the
matter before the Judicial Committee, before whom it was
argued on the 2nd July, 1934, and subsequent days. Sir Leslie
Scott, K.C. and Mr. Preedy appeared to represent the Secretary
of State and the Attorney-General (with him Mr. Wilfrid Lewis)
also appeared to assist the Lords of the Committee with
argument. The Lords of the Judicial Committee of the Privy
Council have now delivered their Report stating that they have
come to the conclusion that the better view and the proper
answer to give to the question addressed to them is that
actual robbery is not an essential element in the crime of
piracy jure gentium, and that a frustrated attempt to commit piratical robbery is equally piracy jure gentium.
P. T.O.