The Speaker granted Leave of Absence to the Member for Naparima (Oct 10-21), and to the Member for Siparia, the Member for Chaguanas East and the Member for Tabaquite (today’s sitting).

The Speaker read correspondence from the President of the Senate informing the House of the members appointed to the PAC, the PAEC and the three departmental Joint Select Committees.

The Member for Moruga/Tableland sought leave of the House to raise a petition on behalf of The Way of Trinidad and Tobago, an organization seeking incorporation through an Act of Parliament. Leave was granted and the petitioners allowed to proceed.

One Question qualified for oral answer, and was answered by the Minister of National Security.

The Member for Diego Martin North/East raised a Matter of Privilege pertaining to statements made by the Minister of Works and Transport in the House on October 8, 2010. The Speaker indicated that he would rule on the matter at a subsequent sitting of the House.

The Ag. Prime Minister and Minister of Tobago Development moved the second reading of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (Local Government and Tobago House of Assembly)(Validation of the Ninth Report of the Elections and Boundaries Commission)(No.2) Bill, 2010. The Leader of the Opposition was first to enter the debate, followed by the Minister in the Ministry of Tourism.

At its next sitting, the House will consider a Private Motion in the name of the Member for Diego Martin West concerning the decision of the government to scrap the purchase of offshore patrol vessels.