The Speaker granted Leave of Absence to the Member for Tunapuna for the period December 3-18, 2011.

The Legal Aid and Advice (Amendment) Bill, which was passed in the Senate on December 6, 2011, was read a first time in the House of Representatives.

Four Papers were laid. See Order Paper for details.

The Minister of National Security made a statement in the House indicated successes achieved during the recently concluded State of Emergency.

The Cariforum (Caribbean Community and Dominican Republic) European Community Ecomonic Partnership Agreement Bill, 2011 was introduced in the House of Representatives in the name of the Minister of Trade and Industry.

The Member for Diego Martin North/East resumed his contribution (from December 2, 2011) on the Administration of Justice (Electronic Monitoring) Bill, 2011. He was followed by the Minister of Works and Infrastructure,the Opposition Chief Whip, the Minister of Legal Affairs, the Member for San Fernando East and the Member for Oropouche East. Debate on the Bill was suspended.

The Minister of Justice moved a Motion asking the House to consider Senate amendments to the Administration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Bill, 2011. The Member for Diego Martin North/East intervened seeking clarification on several amendments. The Minister of Justice responded. All amendments were approved.

The Speaker moved the second reading of the Association of Real Estate Agents (Incorporation)(No. 2) Bill, 2011. The Bill was referred to a Special Select Committee for consideration and report.

The Member for Port-of-Spain North/St. Ann’s West raised as a matter on the Motion for the adjournment of the House, “the failure of the Ministry of Public Administration to honour the Scholarship granted under the Differently Abled Scholarship Programme to Akini Gill to
pursue a Master’s Degree (MA) in Music at NYU Steinhardt University in Spring 2012.” The Minister of Public Administration responded.

The House adjourns to a date to be fixed.