The Speaker granted leave of absence to the Member for Point Fortin (today’s sitting), the Member for Chaguanas West (6 May – 24 May 2008), the Member for St. Ann’s East (today’s sitting) and the Member for Couva South (9 May – 18 May 2008).

The Speaker informed the House about a resolution approved in the Senate which sought to appoint Senate members to oversight Joint Select Committees in accordance with Section 66A of the Constitution. The Speaker also read into the record the amendments made to the Motion in the Senate. A similar motion to appoint House members was approved in the House of Representatives on 14 March 2008.

The Minister of Finance laid three papers. Two papers were referred to the Public Accounts (Enterprises) Committee and the third to the Public Accounts Committee.

Eight Questions qualify for oral answer. Four questions were answered (104, 117, 122 and 127). The remaining questions were deferred for two weeks. See the Order Paper for details.

18 Questions qualify for written answer. See the Order Paper for details.

The Member for Siparia (Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, MP) sought leave to raise as a definite matter of urgent public importance the leak of the CAPE examination papers prior to the writing of the examination. The Speaker was satisfied that the matter qualified and the House granted leave for the matter to be raised. In accordance with Standing Order 12 (3) the matter was stood down until 6.00 o’clock.

The Speaker informed the House that the Prime Minister (who was not in the Chamber at the time) wished to make a Statement at 4 p.m. Leave was granted by the House. Later in the proceedings the Speaker stated that the statement would be stood down until another occasion.

Debate resumed (from April 23, 2008) on the Caribbean Court of Justice Headquarters Bill, 2008. The Member for Princes Town North was first to contribute, followed by the Minister of Information (Hon. Neil Parsanlal, MP), the Prime Minister (Hon. Patrick Manning, MP) and the Member for Caroni East (Dr. Tim Gopeesingh).

During the contribution of the member for Caroni East, the debate on the CCJ Headquarters Bill was suspended to consider the Definite Matter approved for debate earlier in the sitting. The Member for Siparia made her contribution. The Minister of Education responded.

The Member for Caroni East resumed his contribution on the Caribbean Court of Justice Headquarters Bill, 2008. The Leader of the House concluded the debate on the Bill in the absence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed without amendment. It was later read a third time and passed. Having been passed in both Houses, the Bill will now be prepared for the assent of His Excellency the President.

The House adjourned to Friday June 16, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. On that occasion the Senate will begin debate on the Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2008 and, time permitting, The Children’s Community Residences, Foster Homes and Nurseries (Amendment) Bill, 2008 and the The Children’s Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2008.