House of Commons (Disqualification) Act 1693

IX. Reward to Exporter of certain Fish,

on Debenture verified by Searcher of Quantity and Oath.; Officer not having Money in hand to pay Debenture, Commissioners chargeable.; Officer neglecting to pay;; Penalty.

Provided always and be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid That for all such Fish hereafter menc[i]oed as shall be exported dureing the continuance of the Duty upon Salt by this Act imposed from any Port or Place in this Kingdom Dominion of Wales or Towne of Berwick upon Tweed into parts beyond the Seas by any person or persons whatsoever the Rates or Su[m]ms of money hereafter expressed (that is to say) For every Cask or Vessel of Pilchards or Scads containeing Fifty Gallons Twelve shillings and so proportionably for a greater or lesser quantity. For every Barrel of White Herring Two shillings and six pence. For every Barrel of Red Herrings Two shillings. For every Barrel of Salmon Five shillings For every Hundred of Cod-Fish Ling Conger or Hake Fifteene shillings and so proportionably for a greater or smaller number or quantity shall be paid by the Officer appointed to collect the Duties upon Salt payable by this Act in the same Port from whence any such Fish shall be exported within Thirty days after demand thereof on a Debenture to be prepared by the Collector of the Customs in the Port where such Fish shall be entred out for exportation and verified by the person executing the Office of Searcher in such Port as to the quantity of Fish actually shipped and that the Oath of the Exporter or Agent be first taken before the principal Officers of the said Port before the Debenture be allowed who are hereby required and impowered to give the said Oath that the Fish in such Debenture menc[i]oed were English taken and really exported to parts beyond the Seas and not intended to be relanded in England Wales or Berwick for which Debenture no Fee or Reward shall be taken And in case the Officer hereby directed to pay such Debenture shall not have sufficient money in his Hands to pay the same then upon Certificate thereof by him made (which Certificate he is hereby required to give the party gratis) the principal Commissioners for manageing their Majesties Revenue of Excise for the time shall be chargeable with the said payment to be made in course out of the first money in their Hands ariseing out of the said Duties upon Salt And any Officer neglecting or refuseing to pay the said money or to give such Certificate as is here directed shall forfeit double the su[m]m so to be paid to the party grieved to be recovered by Action of Debt Bill Plaint or Informac[i]on wherein noe Essoigne Protection or Wager of Law shall be allowed