§ MR. BAXTERmoved for leave to bring in a Bill to abolish the Ministers' Money or Annuity Tax levied within the city of 445 Edinburgh, pariah of Canongate, and burgh of Montrose as vacancies occur among the present ministers, and to make provision for their successors.
§ THE LORD ADVOCATEsaid, there was no objection on the part of Government to the introduction of the Bill. But the House was aware that the annuity tax was the chief source from which the clergy of Edinburgh derived their incomes, and any Bill which went to abolish it must provide something in the nature of an equivalent. It would be for the House and the Government hereafter to consider the details of the measure, and to judge whether the equivalent proposed was an adequate one or not.
§ Leave given; Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. BLACK and Mr. BAXTER.
§ The House adjourned at half after Six o'clock till Monday next.