The Deputy Speaker granted leave of absence to the Member for Chaguanas West from today’s sitting.

The Petrotrin Pensions Bill, 2010, which was passed in the Senate on Tuesday March 16, 2010 was read a first time in the name of the Minister of Finance.

Four Papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

One Question qualified for oral answer. See the Order Paper.

One Question qualifies for written response. See the Order Paper.

The Member for Siparia sought leave to raise as a definite matter, the unscheduled sitting of a Caricom Heads of Government meeting in Port-of-Spain and the resulting costs associated with it. The Deputy Speaker ruled that the matter did not qualify under Standing Order 12, but would qualify under Standing Order 11 (Matters raised on the Motion for the Adjournment).

The Attorney General moved the second reading of the Supreme Court of Judicature (Amendment) Bill, 2010. The Member for Princes Town North was first to enter the debate, following which debate was suspended to allow a statement to be made.

The Attorney General made a statement on the status of the Anti Corruption Investigations Bureau and other matters.

Following the Attorney General’s statement, the Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education resumed debate on the Supreme Court of Judicature (Amendment) Bill, 2010, followed by the Member for Tabaquite, the Minister of Public Administration and the Member for Oropouche East. A total of seven members made contributions before the Attorney General rose to conclude. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed without amendment. It was then read a third time and passed.

The Attorney General moved the second reading of the Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2010. Leave was granted to also debate the Evidence (Amendment) Bill, 2010. After some five minutes the Attorney General suspended his contribution to a later date.

The Member for Caroni East raised as a Matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House, “the necessity for clarification on whether there is a relationship between UDECOTT, NIPDEC and the Shanghai Construction Company in the construction of the Lighthouse of the Lord Jesus Christ Church in terms of financial contractual obligations.” The Minister of Finance responded.

The Leader of the Opposition then raised the matter of “the need for all Members of the Board of UDeCOTT to be dismissed immediately having regard to the collective role this Board has played in the undermining of public confidence in the operations and integrity of this State Company.” The Minister of Finance responded.

The House adjourns to a date to be fixed. The Leader of the House indicated that the House may not return before the Easter Weekend. Easter greetings were extended to members of the Christian community by the Leader of the House, the Member for Cumuto/Manzanilla, the Prime Minister. Greetings were also extended to Members of the Spiritual Baptist community on the occasion of Spiritual Baptist Shouter Liberation Day on March 30, 2010.