House of Commons Journal Volume 9: 11 March 1678

Lunæ, 11 die Martii, 1677.

Prayers.

Gresham's Estate.

A BILL for vesting the Rectory of Westerham, in the County of Kent, in Trustees, to be sold, for Payment of the Debts of Edward Gresham Esquire, was read the First time.

Resolved, &c. That the Bill be read a Second time.

Stannary Laws.

Sir Jonathan Trelawney reports from the Committee to whom the Bill, sent from the Lords, intituled, An Act for settling the Laws of the Stannaries of Cornwall and Devon, and Encouragement of Adventurers in Tin, and Preservation of his Majesty's Revenue arising in and by the same; several Amendments, agreed by the Committee to be made to the Bill: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were twice read; and, upon the Question, severally agreed.

Some further Amendments being proposed to be made to the Bill;

And a Motion being made, That the Bill may be re-committed;

Ordered, That the Bill be re-committed to the former Committee: And all the Members that come are to have Voices at it: And they are to summon and hear the Pewterers: And they are to meet this Afternoon, in the Place formerly appointed.

Tax on new Buildings.

Resolved, &c. That the Committee of the whole House be left at large to consider of the Charge upon new Buildings.

The House then resolved itself into a Committee of the whole House, to proceed further in the Consideration of the Charge upon new Buildings.

Mr. Speaker left the Chair.

Colonel Birch took the Chair of the Committee.

Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair.

Colonel Birch reports from the said Committee, That the Committee had agreed upon Three Votes, as Heads for a Bill: Which he read in his Place; and afterwards delivered the same in at the Clerk's Table: Where the same were twice read; and, upon the Question, severally agreed to; and are as followeth:

Resolved, &c. That the Charge upon the new Buildings, resolved by the House, be paid according to the full improved Value, by the present Possessor, Occupier, or other Person who hath the present Right, in case of empty Houses; and to be allowed and borne by the several Persons concerned, according to their respective Profits and Interest proportionably; and to be ascertained, where it shall not be otherwise agreed, by the Commissioners appointed to execute this Act, according to the Rules and Directions given by this Act.

Resolved, &c. That whereas many great Houses have been pulled down within the Time and Place limited by this Act, and divers Houses there built, the Houses so built shall be reputed and charged as built upon new Foundations.

Resolved, &c. That no further Building be erected upon new Foundations within the Limits mentioned in this Act; except such whose Foundations were laid before the Eleventh Day of March One thousand Six hundred and Seventy-seven; or contracted for Building under Hand and Seal, before One or more credible Witnesses, before the Twenty-fifth of December One thousand Six hundred and Seventy-seven; so as no House, so permitted to be built, be of less Value than Twenty Pounds per Annum: And that all such Houses be charged to pay, as this Act directs; and according to the Prices paid near the same Place for Houses of the like Dimensions; and to be paid for on or before the First of October One thousand Six hundred and Seventy-eight: And, in case such Payment shall not be so made, such Contract shall be void: And if Houses be built thereupon, they shall be demolished.

Resolved, &c. That a Bill be brought in, pursuant to these and the former Votes; and it is recommended to Mr. Solicitor General, Col. Birch, and Sir Tho. Meeres, to prepare and bring in the same: And they are to consider of a Clause to be added to the said Bill, for appropriating the Monies to be raised thereby, to the same Uses that the Money to be raised by a Poll is appropriated.

Hearth Money Patent.

Ordered, That the Patent of the Farmers of the Duty of Hearth-money be delivered back to the said Farmers, and to be brought again whensoever the House shall require it.

And then the House adjourned till To-morrow Morning, Eight of the Clock.