scot and lot

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scot and lot was a contribution towards municipal expenses, largely poor relief, scot being the amount and lot the share. In 37 parliamentary boroughs in the period before 1832, including Westminster with 12,000 voters, the right to vote was restricted to scot and lot payers, excluding the poorest inhabitants. The franchise led to frequent disputes about the exact character of the payments made and who made them.

J. A. Cannon