Procedure: seventh article read, debated, amendments suggested and voted on

Then the seventh article of union was again read and, after some reasoning, a proposal was made for an explanation and addition, whereby the nation would be secured against paying more excise for the two penny ale than they now do, in these terms: that the thirty-four gallons English barrel of beer or ale, amounting to twelve gallons Scots of present measure, sold in Scotland by the brewer at 9s 6d sterling, excluding all duties, and retailed including duties and the retailer's profit at 2d the Scots pint, or an eighth part of the Scots gallon, be not after the union liable on account of the present excises upon excisable liquors in England, to any higher imposition than 2s sterling upon the foresaid thirty-four gallons English barrel, being twelve gallons of the present Scots measure.

And another clause being likewise offered in these terms: and it is hereby specially provided that the two penny ale and beer of Scotland shall be only charged with the same excise as the small beer of England.

After some debate the vote was stated, approve of the seventh article as to the excise of ale and beer, with the explanation as contained in the first or second clauses above inserted, and thereupon the said clauses being read, it was agreed that the members shall be marked as they vote and that a list of their names as they vote first or second shall be printed. Whereupon, the vote was put, approve of the seventh article as to the excise of ale and beer with the explanation as contained in the said first or second clauses, and it carried first.†

  1. NAS. PA6/36, f.28/176 (note parallel folio system). Back
  2. For alternative text see PA6/36, f.177: 'In the parliament 28 November 1706 above was stated approve of the seventh article as to the excise of ale and beer with the explanation as contained in the first clause inserted in the minutes of this date: that the thirty-four gallons English barrel of beer or ale, amounting to twelve gallons Scots present measure, sold in Scotland by the brewer at 9s 6d sterling excluding all duties, and retailed including duties and the retailer's profit at 2d the Scots pint, or eighth part of the Scots gallon, be not, after the union, liable on account of the present excises upon excisable liquors in England, to any higher imposition than 2s sterling upon the foresaid thirty-four gallons English barrel, being twelve gallons the present Scots measure; or in terms of the second, namely and it is hereby specially provided that the two penny ale and beer of Scotland shall be only charged with the same excise as the small beer of England. And it carried first and the list of the members as they voted pro or con (ordered to be printed) is as follows'. This passage does not appear in APS. Back