Leave of Absence was granted to Hon. Terrence Deyalsingh, MP for St. Joseph, for sittings held during the period December 19th 2015 to January 15th 2016. Additionally, leave of absence was granted to Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, MP for Siparia, Mr. Prakash Ramadhar, MP for St. Augustine, Dr. Fuad Khan, MP for Barataria/San Juan, and Hon. Camille Robinson-Regis, MP for Arouca/Maloney for today’s sitting.

Three papers were laid in the name of the Attorney General and the Minster of Finance. Paper 3 was referred to the Public Accounts Committee. See Order Paper and 1st Supplemental Paper for details.

Prime Minister’s Question Time is expected today, as allowed under the Standing Orders at the second sitting of the House in each calendar month. Questions were posed on the Climate Change Conference in Paris, termination of workers, utilization of the Heritage and Stabilization Fund, reduction in allowances for Ministers, support from IMF, average price of natural gas and application of loans following increase under Loans Acts to name a few.

Six urgent questions were answered.

Two questions qualify for oral answer. See Order Paper for details.

One request was made for leave to move the adjournment of the House on Definite Matters of Urgent Public Importance namely the Government’s attempt to manipulate the revelation of foreign exchange recipients by the Governor of the Central Bank in order to divert public attention away from the calamitous social and economic impact of the mass job losses in the public or private sector over the past two months. The Deputy Speaker of the House was not satisfied that these matters qualified under Standing Order 17.

Due to recent statement on the financial status of the nation by the Central Bank, Hon. Colm Imbert, MP, Minister of Finance provided insight on the cash flow and financing operations of the Government.

The Minister of Trade and Industry moved a motion asking the House to exempt from import duties of Customs equipment, material and supplies which have been imported for use in off-shore petroleum exploration and petroleum operations for the period 1st January, 2016 to 31st December, 2017. This motion was approved.

The Minister of Trade and Industry moved a second motion asking the House to exempt from import duties of Customs the classes of goods imported or entered for use in Trinidad and Tobago for a number of purposes set out in the list of Conditional Duty Exemptions in the Third Schedule to the Customs Act for the period beginning 1st January, 2016 and ending 31st December, 2017. The motion was approved.

Christmas greetings were conveyed to the Nation from the Government Bench by Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, MP, from the Opposition Bench by Mr. Ganga Singh, MP and from the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Esmond Forde, MP. The Sitting concluded at 7:38 p.m. and shall reconvene at a date to be fixed.