The Deputy Speaker granted Leave of Absence to the MPs for Siparia, Chaguanas West and St. Ann’s East for today’s sitting.

The Deputy Speaker announced the passing of former Member for Diego Martin East and Minister of Housing, Mrs. Norma Lewis Phillip, on Saturday March 8, 2008 which, coincidentally, was International Women’s Day.

Tributes were paid to Mrs. Lewis Phillip by the Attorney General (Sen. the Hon. Bridgid Annisette-George), the Member for Fyzabad (Mr. Chandresh Sharma), the Prime Minister and Member for San Fernando East (Hon. Patrick Manning, MP) and the Deputy Speaker and Member for Arima (Ms. Pennelope Beckles, MP). The House stood for a moment of silence.

Four Papers were laid in the names of the Ministers of Legal Affairs, Finance, and Planning, Housing and the Environment respectively. One Paper was referred to the Public Accounts Committee. See the Order Paper and Supplemental Order Papers for details.

Eight Questions qualify for oral answer on the Order Paper. Question 20 was answered. Question 65 was deferred to the next sitting. All other questions were deferred for two weeks. See the Order Paper for details of the questions.

See the Order Paper for details.

The Member for Caroni East sought leave of the House to raise as a definite matter of urgent public importance the acute shortage of yellow fever and tetanus vaccines in health facilities, especially along the East West Corridor. The Deputy Speaker ruled that the matter did not qualify under Standing Order 12, but would qualify under Standing Order 11.

The Minister of Legal Affairs (Hon. Peter Taylor, MP) made a statement pertaining to the Draft Policy Paper on Consumer Protection which was laid in the House of Representatives earlier in the sitting.

The Leader of the House (Hon. Colm Imbert) sought leave of the House to deal with Motions as the first item under Government Business. Leave was granted.

The Leader of the House (Hon. Colm Imbert, MP) moved the Motion to appoint Members to the Joint Select Committees. Six members made contributions on the Motion before the Leader of the House began his wind-up. The Motion was approved.

The Committee Stage of The Retiring Allowances (Legislative Service)(Amendment) Bill, 2008 was resumed. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed with amendments. It was then read a third time and passed unanimously by a division of 33 for, none against.

The Minister of Legal Affairs (Hon. Peter Taylor, MP) moved that the Copyright (Amendment) Bill, 2008 be read a second time. The debate was suspended following the Minister’s contribution.

The Member for Tabaquite (Mr. Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, SC, MP) raised the issue of the urgent need to review upwards the social grants available to citizens. The Minister of Social Development and Member for Diego Martin Central (Hon. Dr. Amery Browne, MP) responded.

The Member for Tabaquite (Hon. Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, SC, MP) raised the matter of the need to increase the Senior Citizen’s Grant. The Minister of Finance and Member for D’Abadie/O’Meara (Hon. Karen Nunez-Teshiera, MP) responded.

The House adjourned to Friday March 28, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. On that occasion, debate is expected to continue (from Friday February 22, 2008) on the Private Motion by the Member for Cumuto/Manzanilla on containing food prices.