The Speaker granted leave of absence to the following Members: Moruga/Tableland (today), Arima (6-12 Nov), Toco/Sangre Grande (6-15 Nov), Barataria/San Juan (12-21 Nov), Couva North (11-21 Nov), Tunapuna (today).

The Speaker informed the House of communication from the President of the Senate advising of the appointment of Senators to the Joint Select Committee – Public Procurement and the Joint Select Committee on Parliamentary Accommodation.

The Speaker made a ruling in respect of a matter of privilege raised by the Member for Diego Martin North/East on October 15, 2010 concerning statements made by the Minister of Works and Transport on October 8, 2010. The Speaker ruled that no prima facie case had been made warranting an investigation by the Committee of Privileges.

Five questions qualify for oral answer. All five questions were answered. See the Order Paper.

The Prime Minister made a statement concerning the unregulated interception of communication of several individuals by an agency of the state,as well as the Special Anticrime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT).

Two Bills, The Finance (No. 2) Bill, 2010 and the Interception of Communications Bill, 2010, were introduced in the name of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of National Security respectively.

The Minister of Health moved the second reading of the Children’s Life Fund Bill, 2010. Following the Minister’s presentation, the Member for Diego Martin Central entered the debate, followed by the Minister of Education, the Member for Point Fortin, the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, the Member for Port-of-Spain North/St. Ann’s West and the Member for La Brea. The Minister of Health then rose to conclude. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed with amendments. It was later read a third time and passed. A division was taken at the third reading, the result of which was 31 for, none against.

The House adjourned to Friday November 19, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. At the next sitting, debate is expected on a Motion to affirm the Census (2011) Order, 2010 as well as the Finance (No.2) Bill, 2010. Before adjourning, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House, and the Member for Diego Martin North/East extended greetings to the Muslim community on the occasion of Eid ul adha, which is to be celebrated on Wednesday November 17, 2010. The Speaker also responded to a query made earlier in the sitting by the Member for Point Fortin. The sitting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.