Leave of Absence was granted to Senator the Honourable Martin Joseph, who is out of the country. Mr. Foster Cummings was sworn in to replace Sen. Joseph from 1 April 2008 until his return to Trinidad and Tobago.

The President brought the attention of the House to a letter from the Speaker of the House indicating the decision of the House of Representatives to appoint members to two oversight Joint Select Committees.

One Paper appears was laid in the name of the Minister in the Ministry of Finance (Sen. the Hon. Mariano Browne).

Question 41 was answered by the Minister of Labour, Small and Micro Enterprise Development. All other questions were deferred. See the Order Paper for details of the questions.

The Leader of the House indicated that the responses to Questions 21, 35 and 37 were circulated. These questions were directed to the Minister of National Security and the Minister of Finance.
See the Order Paper for details.

Sen. Wade Mark moved the Motion to annul the National Insurance Regulations, which were laid in the Senate on 26 February 2008 on the Supplemental Order Paper. Eight members contributed to the Motion before Senator Mark concluded the debate. Following Sen. Mark, the Attorney-General (Sen. the Hon. Bridgid Annisette-George) rose to participate in the debate under Standing Order 33(2) [Right of Reply of a Minister or Parliametary Secretary to a Motion critical of the Government]. The Question was put, and the Motion was not approved.

Sen. Wade Mark raised the Matter on the Adjournment. The Minister of Information (Hon. Neil Parsanlal, MP) responded.

The Senate adjourned to Tuesday April 8, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. On that occasion, debate is expected to begin on the Caribbean Court of Justice (Headquarters) Bill, 2008 and, time permitting, the International Child Abduction Bill, 2008.