The Speaker granted leave of absence to several Members who are currently out of the country. These members include the Hon. Winston Dookeran MP, Member for Tunapuna, the Hon. Rodger Samuel MP, Member for Arima and the Hon. Dr. Delmon Baker MP, Member for Tobago West.

The Deputy Speaker read correspondence from the President of the Senate informing the House that at a sitting held on Tuesday November 15th, 2011, the Senate agreed to establish Joint Select Committees to consider the Legislative Proposal to provide for public procurement and disposal of public property together with the Legislative Proposal to repeal and replace the Central Tenders Board Act and on Parliamentary Accommodation.

The Member for Fyzabad moved that a Petition be read in the House on behalf of the National Ramleela Council of Trinidad and Tobago (NRCTT), who were seeking incorporation through a Private Bill. The Petition was read and the House gave its approval for the petitioners to proceed.

One paper was laid. See Order Paper.

Six Questions qualified for Oral Answer, all questions were answered. See Order Paper.

In commemoration of Universal Children’s Day on November 20th 2011, the Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development issued a statement emphasizing the Government’s continuing initiatives to ensure that the nation’s children are being nurtured into successful individuals.

Members were appointed to serve on the Joint Select Committee established to consider Legislative Proposal to provide for public procurement and disposal of public property together with the Legislative Proposal to repeal and replace the Central Tenders Board Act.

The Minister of Justice moved the second reading of the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Bill, 2011. The Member for Diego Martin North/East was first to enter the debate, followed by the Minister of Legal Affairs, the Opposition Chief Whip and the Leader of the Opposition. The Minister of Justice then rose to conclude. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed with amendments. It was then read a third time and passed. The result of the division at third reading was 35 for, none against, no abstentions.

The Speaker of the House moved the Second Reading of the Way of Trinidad and Tobago (Incorporation)(No.2) Bill, 2011. The Speaker appointed members to a Special Select Committee of the House of Representatives to consider the Bill, incorporating the work done by a previous Committee in the 1st Session of the 10th Parliament.

The Leader of the House moved a Motion asking the House to refer the Standing Orders to the Standing Orders Committee.

The Member for Diego Martin North/East raised as a Matter on the Adjournment, “Trinidad and Tobago’s failure to meet the legal and regulatory standards for tax transparency established by the Global Forum” The Acting Minister of Finance responded.

The Member for Diego Martin North/East raised a second matter on the Motion for the adjournment of the House, “irregularities in the approach adopted by the Government for the acquisition of land for the Point Fortin Highway.” The Minister of Works and Infrastructure responded.

At the next sitting, the House is expected to consider Private Business, specifically the continuation of debate on a Motion by the Member for Port-of-Spain North/St. Ann’s West on the provision of textbooks to schools.