The Speaker granted leave of absence to the Member for Point Fortin (Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon, MP) for today’s sitting and the Member for St. Joseph (Hon. Kennedy Swaratsingh, MP) for the period 11 April – 16 April 2008. The Speaker also congratulated, belatedly, the Member for San Fernando West (Mr. Junia Regrello, MP) on making his maiden contribution in the House on April 4, 2008. Later in the proceedings the Speaker also recognized the presence of the Speaker of the House of the Barbados Parliament, His Honour Michael A. Carrington, M.P.

The Caribbean Court of Justice (Headquarters) Bill, which was passed in the Senate on April 8, 2008, was read a first time in the House of Representatives. The Bill is in the name of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon, MP). See the Supplemental Order Paper.

Seven Papers were laid. One was in the name of the Minister of Planning, Housing and the Environment (Sen. the Hon. Dr. Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde) and six were in the name of the Minister of Works and Transport and Leader of the House (Hon. Colm Imbert, MP). They were all laid by the Leader of the House.

The Leader of the House indicated that the Government was in a position to answer eight Questions (12, 43, 49, 50, 51, 53, 67 and 112). These questions were answered and all others deferred for two weeks.
See the Order Paper for details.

See the Order Paper for details.

The Member for Princes Town raised the matter. The Speaker ruled that the matter did not qualify under Standing Order 12, but would qualify under Standing Order 11.

The Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2008 was introduced. The Bill is in the name of the Minister of Public Administration (Hon. Kennedy Swaratsingh, MP).

The Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs (Hon. Marlene McDonald, MP), making her maiden contribution, moved the Second Reading of the Bill.

Following the contribution of the Minister, the Speaker then suspended the sitting of the House to consult with the Leader of the House and the Chief Whip in his Chambers. At the resumption at 3:25 p.m. the Speaker announced that the matter referring to laptop computers would be referred to the House Committee of the House of Representatives. The Chief Whip then rose, indicating that the Opposition would take no part in proceedings of the House until the House Committee met. The Members of the Opposition then left the Chamber.

The Leader of the House (Hon. Colm Imbert, MP) raised a matter under Standing Order 27 (Privilege Motions). The Member then referred these matters to the Committee of Privileges. The Speaker advised that due to the nature of the matters raised, they should be referred to the Deputy Speaker.

The Second Reading of the Trinidad and Tobago National Steel Symphony Orchestra Corporation Bill, 2008 was resumed. The Member for San Fernando West and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs (Mr. Junia Regrello, MP) contributed to the Bill. The Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs then concluded the debate. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed without amendments. It was then read a third time and passed.

The Minister of Planning, Housing and the Environment (Sen. the Hon. Dr. Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde) moved the Second Reading of the Bill, which was passed in the Senate on 18 March 2008. The Member for Arima and Deputy Speaker (Ms. Pennelope Beckles, MP) contributed to the Bill.
The Bill was then considered in Committee and passed without amendment. It was then read a third time and passed.
The Bill will now be sent to the President of the Republic for Assent.

The Attorney General (Sen. the Hon. Bridgid Annisette-George) moved the Second Reading of the Legal Profession (Amendment) Bill, 2008, which was passed in the Senate on 4 March 2008. There was no debate. The Bill was then considered in Committee and passed without amendments. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. Having been passed in both Houses, the Bill will now be sent to His Excellency the President for Assent.

At its next sitting, the House will consider the Caribbean Court of Justice Headquarters Bill, 2008 and, time permitting, the Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2008.