House of Commons Journal Volume 7: 12 December 1651

Friday, the 12th Day of December, 1651.

Prayers.

Gen. Ireton's Widow.

ORDERED, That the Amendments to the Act touching the late Deputy-General of Ireland, for settling Lands on his Widow and Children; and the Act for settling Lands on the Lord General; be brought in on Thursday Morning next.

Excise on Beer, &c.

Mr. Solicitor-General reports, from the Committee, concerning Business of greatest Importance to be dispatched;

That no Beer or Ale be Exciseable for the future, but such as is brewed by common Brewers; or else brewed to be sold by Vintners, Inn-keepers, Alehouse-keepers, Cooks, Chandlers, and other Persons, brewing in their Houses, and selling again by Retale, or otherwise.

The Question being propounded, That no Beer or Ale be Exciseable for the future, but such as is brewed by common Brewers; or else brewed to be sold by Vintners, Inn-keepers, Alehouse-keepers, Cooks, Chandlers, and other Persons, brewing in their Houses, and selling again by Retale, or otherwise.

And the Question being put, that this Question be now put;

The House divided.

The Noes went forth.

So it passed with the Affirmative.

And the main Question being put; It was

Resolved, That no Beer or Ale be Exciseable for the future, but such as is brewed by common Brewers; or else brewed to be sold by Vintners, Inn-keepers, Alehousekeepers, Cooks, Chandlers, and other Persons, brewing in their Houses, and selling again by Retale, or otherwise.

Resolved, That these Words "for the future," in the last precedent Vote, be amended; and, instead thereof, these Words be inserted in the Beginning of the Vote, viz. "from and after the 25th Day of December 1651."

And so it was Resolved, That from and after the Fiveand-twentieth Day of December 1651, no Beer or Ale be Exciseable, but such as is brewed by common Brewers; or else brewed to be sold by Vintners, Inn-keepers, Alehousekeepers, Cooks, Chandlers, and other Persons, brewing in their Houses, and selling again by Retale, or otherwise.

Resolved, That the Commissioners for Excise, and all Sub-Commissioners, and other Officers of Excise be, and are hereby, injoined, to take Notice hereof; and to take Care that the same be put in Execution, and duly observed: And the Committee of Excise are to see the same done, accordingly.

Committees.

Resolved, That such Powers as have been committed by the Parliament to the several Committees of Indemnity; the Committees for removing Obstructions in Sale of Lands, &c.; the Committee for Plundered Ministers; the Committee for regulating the Universities; and the Committee of the Publick Revenue, Navy, and Excise; and which shall be, by the Parliament, thought fit to be continued; shall be transferred out of the Hands of the Members of Parliament; and be put into such Hands, and in such Way, as by Act of Parliament shall be appointed; to the End, the Members of Parliament may be at Liberty to attend the publick Service of the Parliament.

Resolved, That it be referred to the Committee appointed to consider of Matters of greatest Importance to be presented to the House, to send to the Clerks of the several Committees of Indemnity; Obstructions; Plundered Ministers; for regulating the Universities; Publick Revenue, Navy, and Excise; who are injoined to send That Committee, Copies of all the Powers given to the said respective Committees by Parliament: And that the said Committee do consider of the said several Powers; and bring in one or more Bills for the settling of such of them, as they shall think fit to be continued in other Hands: And that they report the same to the House on Friday next; and that Mr. Carew be added to take Care of this Business: And the Committee are to meet To-morrow Morning, at Eight of the Clock, in Mr. Speaker's Chamber.

Assessments.

Ordered, That the Bill for the Assessments for the Army, be brought in on Tuesday Morning next, the first Business; nothing to intervene.

The House, according to former Order, adjourned itself to Tuesday Morning next, Eight of Clock.