Leave of absence was granted to Hon. Colm Imbert, MP, Member for Diego Martin North/East, from today’s Sitting of the House.

Hon. Jagdeo Singh [Speaker of the House]

Four papers were laid. See Supplemental Order Paper.

Hon. Khadijah Ameen, MP [Minister of Rural Development and Local Government]

Hon. Barry Padarath, MP [Minister of Public Utilities and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister]

Four questions qualified for oral answer. All questions were answered. See Order Paper.

Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, MP [Opposition Member]

Hon. Dr. Michael Dowlath, MP [Minister of Education]

Mr. Marvin Gonzales, MP [Opposition Member]

Mr. Hans Des Vignes, MP [Opposition Member]

Hon. Jearlean John, MP [Minister of Works and Infrastructure]

Mr. Stuart Young SC, MP [Opposition Member]

The Finance Bill, 2025 was introduced in the name of the Minister of Finance, who moved that the next stage of the bill be taken later in the proceedings. The motion was approved.

The Summary Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2025 was introduced in the name of the Attorney General. The Leader of the House moved that the next stage of the bill be taken on Tuesday December 9, 2025. The motion was approved.

The Minister of Rural Development and Local Government, Hon. Khadijah Ameen, MP, moved a motion to approve the Draft Elections and Boundaries Commission (Local Government and Tobago House of Assembly) (Tobago) Order, 2025. Mr. Keith Scotland, MP for Port of Spain South and Mr. David Thomas, MP for Tobago East, joined the debate before the wind up by the Member for St. Augustine. The motion was approved.

Hon. Khadijah Ameen, MP [Minister of Rural Development and Local Government]

Mr. Keith Scotland SC, MP [Opposition Member]

Mr. David Thomas, MP [Member]

The Minister of Finance, Hon. Davendranath Tancoo, MP, moved the second reading of the Finance Bill, 2025. Debate began on the bill. Five members added to the debate before the wind up by the Minister of Finance. The bill was committed to a Committee of the Whole for consideration clause by clause. The bill was approved with amendments. The bill was read a third time and passed.

Hon. Davendranath Tancoo, MP [Minister of Finance and Minister in the Ministry of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development]

Mr. Brian Manning, MP [Opposition Member]

Hon. David Lee, MP [Minister of Housing]

Hon. Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, MP [Leader of the Opposition]

Hon. Dr. Lackram Bodoe, MP [Minister of Health]

Mr. Christian Birchwood, MP [Opposition Member]

The Prime Minister, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, MP, made a statement on the wage settlement and backpay owed to public officers represented by the Public Service Association.

Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC, MP [Prime Minister]

The Sitting concluded at 8:58 p.m.