House of Representatives

Sittings

11th Sitting of the House of Representatives

1st Session - 10th Republican Parliament

Friday 1 October, 2010
1:30 PM
Announcements By The Speaker/Deputy Speaker
Leave of Absence

The Speaker granted leave of absence to the Member for Mayaro (24 Sep – 6 Oct), Port-of-Spain South and the Member for Barataria/San Juan.

Papers
25 Papers

25 Papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

Questions To Ministers: Oral Answer
Three Questions

The three Questions which qualified for oral answer were answered.

Questions To Ministers: Written Answer
One Question

One Question qualifies for written answer. See Appendix I of the Order Paper

Privilege Motions
Budget Contribution of the Member for St. Joseph

The Member for Diego Martin North/East raised as a matter of privilege, statements made by the Minister of Justice during his budget contribution on September 16, 2010. The Speaker indicated that he would rule on the matter later in the proceedings, which he did. He ruled that the matter does not constitute a prima facie case of breach of privilege or contempt.

Personal Explanations
The Minister of Justice

The Minister of Justice made a personal explanation pertaining to his budget contribution.

Statements By Ministers
Government's Position on CLICO

The Prime Minister made a Statement outlining the Government’s handling of issues related to CLICO.

Government Business: Motions
Procurement, Disposal of Property, Central Tenders Board Act

The Minister of Education moved a Motion which seeks to consider the Legislative Proposal to provide for public procurement and disposal of public property, together with another legislative proposal to repeal and replace the Central Tenders Board Act. The Motion also seeks the establishment of a Joint Select Committee to consider the proposals. The Leader of the Opposition was first to enter the debate, followed by the Member for Diego Martin North/East. Debate on the Motion was then suspended.

Matter On The Adjournment
Adverse Consequences of Gov. Handling of CLICO

The Member for Diego Martin North/East raised as a matter on the Motion for the adjournment, “the adverse consequences of the Government’s bailout plan for CLICO policyholders and depositors” The Minister of Finance responded.

Matter On The Adjournment
Purchase of Computer Equipment

The Member for Diego Martin North East raised a second matter, “Poor decision making at the Ministry of Education with respect to the purchase of computer equipment.” The Minister of Education responded.

Adjournment
The House adjourns to Friday October 8, 2010 at 1:30 p.m.

At its next sitting, debate is expected to resume on the Motion for public procurement, followed by debate on the Petrotrin Pensions (No.2) Bill, 2010. Before adjourning the speaker advised the House about the need to refrain from premature publication of evidence, and matters raised with the Speaker.