The Speaker welcomed back to the Chamber the Member of Parliament for San Fernando East, Mr. Patrick Manning, after a prolonged period following a stroke. All Members of the House joined in welcoming Mr. Manning by thumping their desks.

!3 Questions qualified for oral answer. Questions 28, 29, 45 and 47 were deferred for a period of two weeks.

Ten Papers to be laid. Papers 1-4 were referred to the public Accounts Enterprises Committee. See the Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper.

13 Questions qualify for oral answer. See the Order Paper for details. Questions #28, #29, #45 and #47 were deferred for a period of (2) two weeks

The Member for La Brea sought leave of the House to move a matter under Standing Order 12 pertaining to the oil spill in La Brea. The Speaker was satisfied that the matter qualified as a definite matter. The House granted leave and, in accordance with the Standing Orders, the matter was stood down until 6 p.m. when the Member for La Brea made his presentation, followed by the Member for Point Fortin. The Minister of Energy and Energy Affairs then responded.

Two Bills were introduced, the Dog Control (Amendment) Bill, 2013 and the Nurses and Midwives Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2014. The text of the Bills will be uploaded immediately following their introduction.

Debate resumed (from December 13, 2013) on the Bail (Amendment) Bill, 2013. The Minister of Sport was the first to speak followed by the Leader of the Opposition. The Member for Diego Martin Central then rose to contribute followed by the Member for Tabaquite then the Member for Port-of-Spain North/St. Ann’s West, the Member for Arouca/Maloney, the Member for Caroni East, the Member for Laventille West, the Opposition Chief Whip, the Attorney General. The Bail (Amendment) Bill, 2013 was then considered in Committee and passed with a division of 27 for, ten Against and one abstention.

The Member for Chaguanas West moved the following matter on the Motion for the adjournment of the House: “The homicide rate which currently stands at 16 murders in the last six days,
which rate is unprecedented in this country’s history.” The Minister of National Security responded.