Leave of Absence was granted to Sen. Dhanayshar Mahabir, Sen. H.R. Ian Roach and Sen. Melissa Ramkissoon. Mr. Nikoli Edwards, Mr. Albert Sydney and Pastor Clive Dottin were appointed Senators on a temporary basis.

Temporary Senators, Mr. Nikoli Edwards, Mr. Albert Sydney and Pastor Clive Dottin took their oaths of allegiance.

The President of the Senate informed of the establishment of Joint Select Committees on the Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Bill, 2016 and on the Insurance Bill, 2016 at a Sitting of the House on February 3, 2017.

Seven Papers were laid in the names of the Minister of Finance, Minister of Trade and Industry, Attorney General and Sen. Khadijah Ameen. See Order Paper for details.

One Report was presented by Sen. Coppin. See Supplemental Order Paper for details.

Three urgent questions were posed. See Order Paper for details.

Four Questions qualified for oral answer. Questions #22 and #46 were deferred for two weeks. See Order Paper for details.

One Bill was introduced in the name of the Attorney General. See Supplemental Order Paper for details.

The Senate concurred with the House of Representatives in the establishment of Joint Select Committees on the Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Bill, 2016 and the Insurance Bill, 2016. Six Senators were appointed to each Committee.

The Minister of Finance moved the motion Confirmation of the Customs (Import Duty) (Caribbean Common Market) (Amendment) Order, 2016 for debate. He further moved that motions Confirmation of the Excise Duty (Alcoholic Beverages) Order, 2016 and Confirmation of the Excise Duty (Tobacco Products) Order, 2016 be debated together with the first motion. This was agreed upon by the House and debate began on the motions. All motions were approved.

The Minister of Finance moved the 2nd reading of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property (Amendment) Bill, 2016 and debate began on the Bill. The Bill was read a third time and passed without amendments.

Two matters were raised on the adjournment by Sen. Wade Mark, namely the failure of the Government to enunciate a clear policy for the restructuring of Petrotrin and the consequential impact on the company’s workforce and the failure of Government to establish a Joint Select Committee on Parliamentary Accommodation for the purpose of consulting with Parliament on the revision of the user brief on Red House Restoration Project.

The Sitting concluded at 10:22 p.m. The Senate adjourned to Tuesday February 14, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.