Four Questions were answered (70, 79, 97 and 114) by Sen. the Hon. Martin Joseph and Sen. the Hon. Jerry Narace. See the Order Paper for details.

See the Order Paper for details

The Member for Naparima, Mr. Nizam Baksh, MP, sought leave of the House to raise the issue of the imminent destruction of homes in Moonan Avenue Extention, Manahambre Road, Princes Town by agents of the Land Settlement Agency, as a definite matter. The Speaker ruled that the matter did not qualify under Standing Order 12, but would qualify under Standing Order 11.

The Member for Caroni East (Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, MP) sought leave to raise the matter of the absence and acute shortage of nurses in the Accident and Emergency Unit (AEU) of the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH) and its effect on health care in South and Cenral Trinidad as a definite matter. The Speaker ruled that the matter would qualify had he not been informed that the nurses had already returned to work.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs (Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon, MP) moved the second reading of the Caribbean Court of Justice (Headquarters) Bill, 2008, which was passed in the Senate on 8 April 2008. The Member for Siparia (Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, MP) made a contribution, following which debate was suspended temporarily to resume the Committee Stage of the Copyright (Amendment) Bill, 2008.

The Committee Stage of the Copyright (Amendment) Bill, 2008 was resumed from April 4, 2008. The Bill was then reported to the House. The Bill required a special (three fifths) majority. On the question that the Bill be read a third time, 26 members voted for and there were 12 abstentions. The Bill therefore received the required majority and was 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.

Following the passage of the Copyright (Amendment) Bill, 2008, debate resumed on the Caribbean Court of Justice Headquarters Bill. The Attorney General (Sen. the Hon. Bridgid Annisette-George) and the Member for Tabaquite (Mr. Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, SC, MP) made contributions before the sitting of the House was suspended for tea.

At the resumption of the sitting after the tea break, the Deputy Speaker ruled that the matters raised by the Member for Diego Martin North/East on Friday April 11, 2008 should be referred to the Committee of Privileges for consideration and report.

Following the ruling of the Deputy Speaker, the Leader of the House moved under Standing Order 25(L) [Exemption from Notice – a motion arising out of any item of business made immediately after that item is disposed of and before the next item is entered upon] and Standing Order 90(1) [suspension of Standing Orders] that the House agree to suspend Standing Order 75(2) [Speaker being a Member and the Chairman of the Committee of Privileges]. He also moved, in accordance with Standing Order 78(3) [Constitution and Chairman of Select Committees], that the Member for Arima and Deputy Speaker, Ms. Pennelope Beckles, MP chair the Committee of Privileges for matters related to this matter only. Leave was granted.

Following the ruling of the Deputy Speaker and the Motion by the Member for Diego Martin North/East, the Member for Tabaquite completed his contribution on the Bill, following which, the Leader of the House moved that the House adjourn to Wednesday April 23, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.

Before the adjournment, the Deputy Speaker granted leave to the Member for Caroni Central to raise the matter of the construction of an overpass on the Solomon Hochoy Highway in the vicinity of Carlsen Field as a Matter on the Adjournment. The Minister of Works and Transport responded.

Following the Matter on the Adjournment the House adjourned to Wednesday April 23, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. On that occasion debate is expected to continue on the CCJ Headquarters Bill and on the Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2008.