The Speaker granted leave of absence from today’s sitting to the Member for St. Augustine.

14 Papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

One Report was presented. See the Order Paper for details.

There are seven Urgent Questions to be considered. These questions have been attached to the Order Paper for ease of access.

There are four Questions on Notice on the Order Paper.

The Member for Chaguanas West sought leave to move as a definite matter, “the failure of the government to protect citizens from the lawlessness that occurred on the Highway in the vicinity of Beetham Gardens.” The Speaker was not satisfied that the matter qualified under this Standing Order.

The Member for Oropouche East moved a Private Motion which asks the House to “take note of the continuing failure of the Government to implement a viable housing policy to provide affordable housing units to qualified and deserving citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.” The Minister of Housing and Urban Development was first to enter the debate, followed by the Member for Couva South and the Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs. The Member for Oropouche East then rose to respond. The Minister of Finance then rose under Standing Order 46(2) to conclude the debate since the Motion was critical of the Government. The Motion was defeated by a margin of 4 for and 17 against.

The Member for Chaguanas West raised as a Matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House, flooding in Port-of-Spain.

At the next sitting, debate is expected to continue on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, Proceeds of Crime, Financial Intelligence Unit of Trinidad and Tobago, Customs and Exchange Control) Bill, 2017. The sitting ended at 6:36 p.m.

View this Sitting on YouTube via the following links:
Part 1
Part 2