The President of the Senate congratulated Mr. Anthony Carmona on his election to the office of President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. He indicated that an appropriate letter would be sent on behalf of the Senate to His Excellency the President. The President also indicated that he would like to revisit this item on the Order Paper later in the proceedings.

The Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2013 and the Births and Deaths Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2013, both of which were passed in the House of Representatives on Friday March 1, 2013, were read a first time in the Senate. The Minister of Legal Affairs moved that the next stage of each Bill be taken later in the proceedings. Leave was granted. The Miscellaneous Provisions (Defence and Police Complaints) Bill, 2013 was also read a first time in the Senate. The Leader of the House moved that the next stage of the Bill be taken at a sitting of the Senate on Tuesday April 2, 2013. Leave was granted.

19 Papers were laid. See the Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper.

Two Reports were presented. See the Order Paper

The Minister of National Security responded to the one question that qualified for oral answer. See the Order Paper.

The Minister of Planning and Sustainable Development made a statement on the laying of the Report of Central Statistical Office on the 2011 census.

The Minister of Legal Affairs moved the second reading of the Births and Deaths Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2013. Sen. Faris Al-Rawi was first to enter the debate, followed by Sen. Helen Drayton, Sen. Terrence Deyalsingh and Sen. Dr. Rolph Balgobin. Eight Senators made contributions before the Minister of Legal Affairs rose to conclude. The Bill was then considered in Committee and passed without amendment. It was then read a third time and passed.

Just prior to the tea break, the President of the Senate revisited Announcements by the President on the Order Paper, in order for tributes to be paid to former Independent Senator Prof. John Spence, who passed away on March 6, 2013.

The Minister of Legal Affairs moved the second reading of the Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2013. Sen. Faris Al-Rawi was first to enter the debate, followed by Sen. Helen Drayton, Sen. Dr. Rolph Balgobin, Sen. Prof. Harold Ramkissoon, Sen. Subhas Ramkhelawan and the Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development. The Minister of Legal Affairs then rose to conclude. The Bill was then considered in Committee and approved without amendment. It was then read a third time and passed.

The Minister of Tertiary Education and Skills Training then moved a Motion asking the Senate to approve the Report of the Special Select Committee of the Senate on the University of the Southern Caribbean (Incorporation) Bill, 2012. Sen. Terrence Deyalsingh entered the debate, followed by Sen. Faris Al-Rawi and Sen. Dr. Lennox Bernard. The Minister then rose to conclude. The Motion was approved and the Bill then read a third time and passed.

At the next sitting the Senate will consider Private Business. The sitting ended at 7:53 p.m.