The Vice-President of the Senate announced that the President of the Senate (Sen. the Hon. Danny Montano) was out of the country. He also announced that Sen. the Hon. Jerry Narace and Sen. the Hon. Arnold Piggott were out of the country. Mr. Foster Cummings, Mr. Joel Primus and Mr. Noel Gayle replaced Senators Montano, Narace and Piggott respectively during their absence from Trinidad and Tobago.

The Pensions (Amendment) Bill, which was passed in the House of Representatives on 16 May 2008, was read a first time in the Senate. The Bill is in the name of the Minister of Education (Hon. Esther Le Gendre, MP).

Three Papers were laid in the name of the Minister in the Ministry of Finance (Sen. the Hon. Mariano Browne). See the Order Paper for details.

14 Questions qualify for oral answer. Two Questions were answered (42 and 53) and the remainder deferred. See the Order Paper for details.

Ten questions qualify for written answer. The response to Question 51 was circulated. See the Order Paper (Appendix I) for details.

The Emergency Ambulance Services and Emergency Medical Personnel Bill, 2008 was introduced. The Bill is in the name of the Minister of Health.

Debate began on the International Child Abduction Bill, 2008, which was passed in the House of Representatives on 8 February 2008. The Second Reading of the Bill, which is in the name of the Minister of Social Development (Hon. Dr. Amery Browne, MP), was moved by the Attorney General (Sen. the Hon. Bridgid Annisette-George). Eight members spoke on the Bill during the debate, including Sen. June Melville who made her maiden contribution, before debate was suspended.

Sen. Wade Mark raised the matter of the transfer of shares of the Home Mortgage Bank. The Minister in the Ministry of Finance (Sen. the Hon. Mariano Browne) responded.

The Senate adjourned to Tuesday May 27, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. At that time the Senate will debate a Finance (Supplementation and Variation of Appropriation) Bill, which is expected to be taken through all its stages in the House of Representatives on Monday April 26, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. Private Members Day in the Senate will take place on Tuesday June 3, 2008.