The Speaker granted Leave of Absence to the Member for Port-of-Spain North/St. Ann’s West (Hon. Gary Hunt, MP – 23 April – 2 May, 2008), the Member for St. Joseph (Hon. Kennedy Swaratsingh, MP – 22 April – 26 April, 2008), the Member for Caroni East (Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, MP 22 April – 24 April, 2008) and the Member for Oropouche West (Ms. Mickela Panday, MP – today’s sitting)

Three Papers were laid. Two by the Minister of Finance (Hon. Karen Nunez-Teshiera, MP) which were then referred to the Public Accounts Committee, and the third (which was laid by the Leader of the House and Minister of Works and Transport [Hon. Colm Imbert, MP]) was in the name of the Minister of National Security (Sen. the Hon. Martin Joseph). See the Order Paper for details.

The Leader of the House (Hon. Colm Imbert, MP) advised that the Government was unable to answer any of the questions on the Order Paper, and requested a two week deferral on all questions. The Speaker implored Ministers to answer all questions on the Order Paper at the next sitting of the House. See the Order Paper for details

See the Order Paper for details.

The Member for Caroni Central (Dr. Hamza Rafeeq, MP) raised a Privilege Motion under Standing Order 27, and sought a ruling from the Speaker on whether the conduct of the Member for Diego Martin North/East and Minister of Works and Transport in responding to a Matter on the Adjournment on Friday April 18, 2008, constituted a contempt of the House and a breach of privilege. The Speaker indicated that he would rule on the matter later in the proceedings.

The Minister of Works and Transport made a statement pertaining to measures taken to improve traffic safety on the Solomon Hochoy Highway in the vicinity of Carlsen Field. He also issued an apology for one incorrect statement made in his response to the Matter on the Adjournment on Friday April 18, 2008

Debate resumed (from Friday April 18, 2008) on the Caribbean Court of Justice Headquarters Bill, 2008. The Member for Chaguanas West was first to make a contribution, followed by the Minister of Finance and Member for D’Abadie/O’Meara (Hon. Karen Nunez-Teshiera, MP), the Member for Oropouche East (Dr. Roodal Moonilal, MP) and the Member for Diego Martin North/East (Hon. Colm Imbert, MP), during whose contribution the sitting was suspended for tea.

Before suspending for tea, the Speaker ruled on the privilege motion made by the Member for Caroni Central. He indicated that since the Member for Diego Martin North/East did not intend to mislead the House, and corrected his response to the Matter on the Adjournment on 18 April 2008 via a Statement at the earliest opportunity, and further apologized to the House, no further intervention on the part of the Speaker was needed.

At the resumption of the sitting (following the tea break), the Member for Diego Martin North/East completed his contribution on the Caribbean Court of Justice Headquarters Bill, 2008. He then moved the adjournment of the House.

The House adjourned to Friday May 2, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. On that occasion the House will continue debate on a Private Motion by the Member for Cumuto/Manzanilla (Mr. Harry Partap, MP) on curtailing rising food prices.