The Deputy Speaker granted leave of absence to the Members for Tobago East, Chaguanas West and St. Augustine from today’s sitting. The Deputy Speaker then informed the House that the Members for Tabaquite and Chaguanas West had resigned from the Special Select Committee of the House of Representatives on the Status of Children (Amendment) Bill, 2009 and that the vacancies needed to be filled as soon as possible.

The Member for Tabaquite presented a Petition on behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF), in which the Federation sought leave to seek incorporation via an Act of Parliament. The Clerk read the petition on behalf of the Federation and leave was granted for the Federation to proceed.

The Minister of Finance laid two Papers. See the Order Paper.

11 Questions qualify for oral answer. Two Questions (6,28) were answered and the rest deferred for two weeks. See the Order Paper for details.

One Question qualifies for written answer. See the Order Paper for details.

The Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education and Acting Attorney General moved the second reading of the Integrity in Public Life (Amendment) Bill, 2009. The Member for Siparia was first to enter the debate, followed by the Minister of Works and Transport during whose contribution debate on the bill was suspended.

The Member for Caroni East raised as a matter on the adjournment, “The failure of the Ministry of Health to adequately provide the necessary and much needed life saving pharmaceuticals (drugs) for patients in both the CDAP Programme and the Health Institutions throughout Trindad and Tobago.” The Minister of Health responded.

The Member for Tabaquite raised the matter of “the need for Government to state what action, if any, it intends to take for the continued protection and safeguarding of the tenants of land and houses who previously enjoyed the protection against unconscionable increases of rents under the provisions of the Rent Restriction Act Chap.59 50.” The Minister of Legal Affairs responded.

Before adjourning, members wished Happy Easter to all the nation.