Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Esmond Forde, MP for Tunapuna and Dr. Lackram Bodoe, MP for Fyzabad from today’s Sitting of the House.

The House paid tribute to former Parliamentarian, Mr. Boodram Jattan, who passed away on November 3, 2023. Mr. Jattan served during the 1st Republican Parliament as the MP for Naparima. A minute of silence was observed.

Forty-two Papers were laid. See the Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper.

Two urgent questions were posed and answered.

There were three Questions on Notice listed for oral answer. See the Order Paper. All questions were answered.

Mr. Rudranath Indarsingh, MP, sought leave to move the adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the national emergency due to the disastrous oil spill along the coastline of Tobago. The Speaker of the House was satisfied that this matter qualified as a matter of urgent public importance. Leave was granted for the debate on this motion to stand over until 6 p.m.

The Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Keith Rowley, MP, made a statement on the oil spill along the coastline in Tobago. The Member for Couva South posed a question to the Prime Minister.

The Minister of Finance made statement on the laying of the 113th and 117th Reports of the Salaries Review Commission. Before the Statement of the Minister of Finance, the Leader of the House moved that the Minister be allowed sufficient time to complete his statement.

One Bill, the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was introduced in the name of the Attorney General.

The Minister of National Security moved a Motion asking the House to approve the notification of the President of the nomination of the Police Service Commission of Mr. Curt Simon to act in the office of Deputy Commissioner of Police. Four Members made contributions before the Minister of National Security began to wind-up the debate. The Motion was approved.

The Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Keith Rowley, MP, will move a motion asking the House to approve the Notification of the President of the Nomination by the Police Service Commission of Mr. Wendell Lucas to the Office of Deputy Commissioner of Police. One Member made a contribution before the Minister concluded the debate. With a division of 0 for, 20 against and 12 abstentions, the Motion was not approved.

The Minister of National Security moved a Motion asking the House to move a motion to approve the Notification of the President of the Nomination by the Police Service Commission of Mr. Junior Benjamin to the Office of Deputy Commissioner of Police. The Member for Naparima made a contribution. The Minister of National Security then rose to wind up the debate. The Motion was approved.

The Minister of National Security moved a Motion asking the House to approve the Notification of the President of the Nomination by the Police Service Commission of Ms. Natasha George to the Office of Deputy Commissioner of Police. Mr. Rodney Charles contributed to the debate before the wind up by the Minister of National Security. The motion was approved.

Debate resumed (from November 1, 2023) on The Miscellaneous Provisions (Testing and Identification) Bill, 2022. Three members contributed to the debate.

The Member for Couva South, Mr. Rudranath Indarsingh, raised a definite matter of urgent public importance re the oil spill along the coastline of Tobago. Seven members contributed to this debate for one hour.

The Sitting concluded at 7:01 p.m.