The Speaker informed the House of the death of Mr. Hardeo Hardath, former Member of Parliament for Nariva, who passed away earlier in November. Tributes were paid to Mr. Hardath by the Minister of Transport, the Leader of the Opposition and the Speaker of the House. The House then stood in silence for one minute as a mark of respect.

The Speaker read communication from the President of the Senate informing the House about the appointment of Ms. Marlene Coudray to the Public Accounts (Enterprises) Committee, replacing Sen. the Hon. Bhoendradatt Tewarie. The Speaker also read communication from the President of the Senate informing the House about the Senators appointed to the Joint Select Committee on the Securities Bill, 2012.

Ten Papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

The Leader of the House moved a Motion asking the House to refer the Standing Orders of the House to the Standing Orders Committee for consideration and report within the current session.

The Member for Port-of-Spain North/St. Ann’s West moved a Private Motion which asks the Government to stop any proposed amendment to the rules that currently govern the GATE programme. The Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training was the first to enter the debate, followed by the Minister of Education.

Two matters were raised on the motion for the adjournment of the House. The first, raised by the Leader of the Opposition, was “the failure of the Government to complete the construction of the Carenage Fishing Complex/Fish Market.” The Minister of Food Production responded.

The second matter, raised by the Member for Port-of-Spain North/St. Ann’s West, was “clarification on the President’s Medal being inaccurately awarded to Kervelle Baird and the measures to prevent such mistakes in the future.” The Minister of Education responded.

The sitting ended at 5:54 p.m.