senate

Sittings

17th Sitting of the Senate

1st Session - 12th Republican Parliament

Tuesday 16 March, 2021
1:30 PM
Bills Brought From The House Of Representatives
Two Bills

The Miscellaneous Provisions (Special Reserve Police and Police Complaints Authority) Bill, 2020 and the CARIFORUM States (The Caribbean Community and Dominican Republic) and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Economic Partnership Agreement Bill, 2021 were read a first time in the Senate.

Papers
One Paper

One Paper was laid. See the Supplemental Order Paper.

Questions To Ministers: Oral Answer
Three Urgent Questions

Three Urgent Questions were approved.

Questions To Ministers: Oral Answer
Six Questions on Notice

Six Questions on Notice were listed on the Order Paper. All questions were answered.

Government Business: Bills Second Reading
The Anti-Gang Bill, 2021

Debate resumed on the Anti-Gang Bill, 2021 with the Minister of National Security being first to contribute. Nine members made contributions (20 over two days of debate) before the Attorney General rose to wind up. The Bill was then Committed to a Committee of the Whole Senate to be considered clause by clause. The Bill was then read a third time and passed by a margin of 24 for, none against, six abstentions.

Matter On The Adjournment
Student Access to Online Learning Platform

Senator Mark raised the following matter, the need for the Government to address the deficiencies in students’ access to online learning as a significant portion of the student population remains without devices and internet connectivity and cannot access the online learning platform. The Minister of Public Administration and Digital Transformation responded.

Matter On The Adjournment
Proper Police Follow Up on Reports of Violent Crime

Sen. Lutchmedial then raised the need for the Government to ensure that the Commissioner of Police establishes systems to guarantee that reports of violent crimes are being appropriately attended to by Police Officers and followed-up as priority matters. The Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries responded.

Adjournment
The Senate adjourns to Tuesday March 23, 2021 at 1:30 p.m.

At the next Sitting, debate is expected to resume on a Private Motion by Sen. Mark on extending Speaking Time in the Senate. The Sitting ended at 9:46 p.m.