Leave of absence was granted to Sen. the Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon, who is out of the country and Sen. Sophia Chote, S.C., who is ill. Mr. Ndale Young and Ms. Zola Phillips were appointed temporary Senators in their place.

Temporary Senators Ndale Young and Zola Phillips took the oath of allegiance.

The Finance Bill, 2019 was brought from the House of Representatives. The Minister of Finance moved that the next stage of the Bill be taken later in the proceedings. The motion was carried.

Four papers were laid. See the Supplemental Order Paper for details.

Three questions qualified for oral answer. All three questions were answered. See Order Paper.

Two urgent questions were posed.

Sen. Wade Mark made a request for leave to move the adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance namely the failure of the Government to protect the public health of the citizenry by providing sufficient security and protection from the spread of the influenza virus which has led to the death of 32 persons to date. The Vice-President of the Senate was not satisfied that this matter qualified under this Standing Order.

The Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Sen. the Hon. Allyson West, moved the second reading of The Finance Bill, 2019. Debate began on the Bill. Following the wind up of the debate, the Bill was read a third time and passed.

Sen. Wade Mark raised a matter on the adjournment namely the need for the Government to restructure business operations at the Tunapuna office of Ministry of Social Development and Family Services with a view to ensuring more efficient service delivery to the customer. Sen. the Hon. Jennifer Baptiste-Primus responded on behalf of the Minister of Social Development and Family Services.

The Sitting concluded at 9:30 p.m. The Senate adjourned to Friday December 13, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.