Star.
London, England, 1822-07-10 00:00:00

AC.CITTIBEICOTTAGI TAX.

Lord A. HAMILTON said the tax which he called
upon the Right Hon. Gentleman to remit, amounted
altogether-but-to 7,0001. and, considering the taxes
that had been repealed in the Sister Kingdom, he
hoped the Right Hon.- Gentleman. would not oppose
the zepeal of a tax of so little account, but which was
teverely felt by the poorer class in Scotland. The
cottages of the poor were subject to a tax of 4s. 6d.
each,which, though small; was yet felt so heavily by
some as to oblige them to procure certifi-ates from
five of the most opulent inhabitants, stating their in-
ability to pay. He hoped the Chancellor of tbe Ex.
chequer Would not object to the repeal of the 4s. 6d.
duty. He should, therefore move for leave to bring
in a Bill to exempt houses in Scotland, under the rent
of 51. from the duty or tax of 4s. 6d. levied under
authority of 48d George _
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said,
he hardly knew anything more inconvenient, than
the bringing before the House a detached part, of a
system of taxation. He should be able to shew, that
there was hardly any cottage in Scotland charged
with the tax. The lowest rate of duty in England was
6s. 6d. and in Scotland 4s. 6d. which rate of duty ap-
plied to all houses having, not more than six windows,
and of less than five pounds rent. On houses having
not exceeding six windows, but exceeding five pounds
rent, the duty was nine shillings in England, and six
shillings in Scotland. If the increase of habitations
in Scotland had borne a proportion to the increase of
population, there were now about 400,000 habita-
tions in Scotland, of which only 112,600 were charged
to the Windcw Tax in all its gradations, having about
290,000 altogether exempted from charge. Of these,
more than 200:000 had been charged by the As-
sessors, but afterwards exempted on account of the
poverty of the inhabitants. When it was seen that
two-thirds of the houses that had been charged by the
Assessors were exempted on the application of the
inhabitants, it could not be said that the tax piessed
with severity. Of the houses that paid the duty, only
32,000 paid the 4s. 6d. duty. If the lowest class were
exempted, the burden would seem the more intolera-
ble to the class immediately above. Houses having
seven windows, were charged with 18s. duty. In a
country eminently industrious, and not vety poor,
the tax of 4s. 6d. on an habitable house, could not
press very heavily.

PRIVILEGIL

It haying been intimated that
had been sent to Mr. Abercroml
the SMILER interrupted the
chequer, and asked whether
the House that the Messeng
Mr. John Spiller, the Nil
and examined by the SPZAIL
Did you carry the Order of the
Ida.

the MI

Whom did.you see?—The footman.
State to the House what paged—l
wk. at home ? He said, no. I asked
Mr. Abercromby was ?. He said that
out of town to-day between tor'
taken his butler with him ; they
fdr ten days. • T asked where he
that he did not know bat that he
Barnet road.,...Mr. Spitler was order
The Marquis of LON DONPIV
Hon. Member had a°. been found,
*et measures to insure obedience
If swans were taken to sertotbs

111
1

i

I

that the Messenger who : 1
~.,i
Tomboy was in attendance,
lie Chancellor of the Er-
m•
it was the pleasure of . ' i
;er should be called in? 1 '
. 0
~,,
4essenger, was called in MI,
KYR.
House to Mr. Abercromby's? I 1
.
tman. 11
tl—l asked whether his truster
uked whether he knew where
hat Mr. Abercrombl had gone
elve and two o'clock, and had
did not expect him to return . I
e was gone ? The answer was, . I
he •believed he had taken the -
rdered to withdraw.
liiiillY obtaaaads Shat as the I i
4, it would he necessary to talus 1
ice tie the Order of the House.
f
(kart on the lion. llegaber,
• . .
..,
. .