§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what year was the last(a) prosecution and (b) conviction for (i) treason and (ii) piracy; and what was the penalty imposed. [3391]
§ Mr. MichaelStatistical data held centrally by the Home Office show one prosecution in 1981 for treason under the Treason Acts 1351 to 1842. This resulted in a conviction carrying a five-year custodial sentence. A 3W further four prosecutions have also been recorded (two in 1989, one in 1991 and one in 1992) but none resulted in a conviction.
In 1849 there were two prosecutions under the Piracy Act 1837. One resulted in a custodial sentence of between seven to 10 years. In 1894, five defendants were tried for piracy. All were acquitted.