The Tobago House of Assembly (Amendment) Bill is to be read a first time in the Senate.

There are five Papers to be laid. See the Order Paper.

Three Urgent Questions were posed. See the Appendix to the Order Paper for details.

Six Questions on Notice qualified for oral answer. See the Order Paper.

The Leader of Government Business moved that the Senate agree to adjusting the Speaking time of Members to 45 minutes for the mover of the Motion, 40 minutes for the first responder and 30 minutes for all additional responders. The Motion was approved.

Sen. Wade Mark moved a Motion asking the Senate to revert to Speaking times as set out in the Standing Orders. Debate then began on the Motion with nine members making contributions before debate on the Motion was suspended.

Senator Mark raised as a Matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the Senate, the need for the Government to bring to Parliament an amendment to the appropriate legislation to strengthen the protection of press freedom in light of a recent decision in the High Court The Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries responded.

Senator Mark then raised a second matter, the decision by several shipping companies to accept only US dollars as payment for freight charges for goods shipped into and out of this country and the impact of this decision on prices, employment and business activity. The Minister of Trade and Industry responded.

At the next Sitting, debate is expected on the Tobago House of Assembly (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The Sitting ended at 6:34 p.m.