The Deputy Speaker granted Leave of Absence to Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon, MP (Point Fortin) for today’s sitting, Mr. Jack Warner, MP (Chaguanas West) for today’s sitting, Mr. Vasant Bharath, MP (St. Augustine) for the period March 3-13, 2008 and the Hon. Karen Nunez-Teshiera, MP (D’Abadie/O’Meara) for the period March 5-11, 2008.

The Bill was brought from the Senate, where it was passed on 4 March 2008.

One question was answered (63). The remainder were deferred for two weeks. See the Order Paper for details.

See the Order Paper for details.

During debate on this Bill, the Chief Whip and Member for Tabaquite (Mr. Ramesh Lawrence-Maharaj, SC, MP) made his first contribution to a Bill in the 9th Parliament. The Bill was read a Second Time. The Committee Stage of the Bill commenced, but was suspended until the next sitting of the House.

The Member for Caroni East raised the matter. The Minister of Health (Sen. the Hon. Jerry Narace) responded.

The Member for Naparima raised the matter. The Acting Minister of Education, Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education and Member for Pointe-a-Pierre (Hon. Christine Kangaloo, MP) responded. This was the Minister’s first contribution in the 9th Parliament.

On that occasion the House will continue the Committee Stage of the Retiring Allowances (Legislative Services)(Amendment) Bill, 2008 and begin debate on the Copyright (Amendment) Bill, 2008. Madam Deputy Speaker extended best wishes to all women on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the 50th occasion on which the day is being celebrated in Trinidad and Tobago. The theme is ‘Investing in Women and Girls’