The Speaker granted Leave of Absence to the Member for Laventille East/Morvant (18-22 Feb, 2009), Fyzabad (today) and Siparia (today). The Speaker also read into the record a letter from the President of the Senate indicating the resolution of the Senate on 17 Feb to appoint members to a Joint Select Committee on the Data Protection Bill, 2009.

The Leader of the House laid four Papers, two on behalf of the Minister of Finance, and one each for the Minister of Health and the Minister of Local Government. One Paper by the Minister of Finance was referred to the Public Accounts Committee. See the Order Paper for details.

16 Questions qualify for Oral Answer. Eight Questions were answered (2, 4, 6, 7, 16, 23, 29, 30), two were withdrawn (15, 17) and the rest deferred. See the Order Paper for details.

Two Questions qualify for written answer. See the Order Paper for details.

The Member for Oropouche East raised the matter of the destruction of a section of the San Fernando Police Station. The Speaker indicated that the matter did not qualify under this Standing Order.

The Prime Minister made a statement indicating the reason for his exercising his constitutional right of a veto in the appointment of an Acting Director of Public Prosecution.

The Minister of Public Administration moved the Second Reading of the Electronic Transactions Bill, 2009. The Member for St. Augustine was first to enter the debate, followed by the Minister of Legal Affairs. Five members spoke before the Minister concluded the debate. The Bill was referred to a Joint Select Committee which will consider both this Bill and the Data Protection Bill, 2009.

The Member for Cumuto/Manzanilla raised as a matter on the Motion for the adjournment of the House “The failure of the Government to repair, rehabilitate or realign the Plum Mitan Main Road at the 7.5 km mark despite repeated requests and several promises.” The Minister of Works and Transport responded.

At its next sitting the House will consider Private Business, specifically, a Private Motion by the Member for Caroni East on the provision of adequate health care for the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. The sitting ended at 7:55 p.m.