Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Prakash Ramadhar, MP for St Augustine, Mr. Rodney Charles, MP for Naparima and Hon. Maxie Cuffie, MP for La Horquetta/Talparo from today’s Sitting.

Correspondence was received from the President of the Senate informing the House that the Senate concurred with the House in the establishment of a Joint Select Committee to consider the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2017 and that six members of the Senate were appointed to this Committee.

Eight papers were laid in the names of the Minister of Finance, Leader of the House and Deputy Speaker. Paper 1 was referred to the Public Accounts (Enterprises) Committee and Paper 2 was referred to the Public Accounts Committee. See Order Paper for details.

Three Reports were presented. See Order Paper for details.

Five urgent questions were posed. See Order Papers for details.

Three questions qualified for oral answer. See Order Paper for details.

Dr. Fuad Khan, MP, made a request for leave to move the adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance namely the hardships faced by students of San Juan Boys Government Primary School which is currently housed at a temporary location. The Speaker of the House was not satisfied that this matter qualified under Standing Order 17.
Mr. Barry Padarath, MP, made a request to discuss the closure and demolition of Princes Town Presbyterian #1 Primary School for the past two (2) years. The Speaker of the House was not satisfied that this matter qualified under Standing Order 17.

The Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Keith Rowley, MP, moved a motion to approve the Notification of the President of the nomination by the Police Service Commission of Mr. Deodat Dulalchan to the office of Commissioner of Police.
The Leader of the House moved a motion that debate on this motion be adjourned to enable a Special Select Committee to obtain further information to assist in proceeding with this debate. This motion was approved.

The Leader of the House moved a motion to establish a Special Select Committee to obtain additional and particular information to enable the House of Representatives to consider the notifications of Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police submitted by the President and to report to the House by March 31, 2018. Debate began on this motion. The motion was approved.

A motion was moved for six members of the House to be appointed to the Special Select Committee approved earlier in the Sitting. Members were approved.

Hon. Colm Imbert, MP, moved a motion that the House adopt the Report of the Joint Select Committee appointed to consider and report on the Insurance Bill, 2016. Debate began on the Bill.

Two Bills were introduced – The Valuation of Land (Amendment) Bill, 2018 and the Property Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2018, in the name of the Minister of Finance.

The Sitting concluded at 5:22 p.m. The House adjourned to Friday February 16, 2018 at 1:30 p.m.