Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Ganga Singh, MP for Chaguanas West, from today’s Sitting of the House.

Four papers were laid. See Order Paper for details.

Three reports were presented.

Three urgent questions were posed and answered.

Five questions qualified for oral answer. All questions were answered.

Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, MP, made a request for leave to move the adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance namely the vulnerability of health care workers with respect to patients suspected of or having the COVID-19 virus infection. The Speaker of the House was not satisfied that this matter qualified under this Standing Order.

The Real Estate Agents Bill, 2020 was introduced in the name of the Attorney General.

The Attorney General, Hon. Faris Al-Rawi, MP, moved the second reading of The Miscellaneous Provisions (Age of Retirement of Judges, Interpretation and Chief Judicial Officers) Bill, 2019. Following the debate, the Bill was committed to a Committee of the Whole for consideration clause by clause. The Bill was read a third time and passed, with amendments.

The Minister of Finance, Hon. Colm Imbert, MP, concluded his wind up of the debate on the motion to adopt the report of the JSC on the Tax Package. The report was adopted.

This Bill was read a second time, after which it was committed to a Committee of the Whole for consideration clause by clause. With 34 votes for, 0 votes against and 0 abstentions, the Bill was then read a third time and passed, with amendments.

The Tax Information Exchange Agreements Bill, 2018 was read a second time, after which it was considered in Committee clause by clause. No amendments were made. With 34 votes for, 0 votes against and 0 abstentions, the Bill was read a third time and passed.

The Minister of Finance moved the second reading of The Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2019. The Bill was then committed to the Committee of the Whole for consideration clause by clause. With 34 votes for, 0 votes against and 0 abstentions, the Bill was read a third time and passed, with amendments.

The Attorney General, Hon. Faris Al-Rawi, MP, moved a motion to approve the Sexual Offences (Amendment to Schedule 1) Order, 2020. Mrs. Christine Newallo-Hosein, MP, was the sole contributor to the debate. The motion was approved.

The Sitting concluded at 7:18 p.m. The House adjourned to Friday March 6, 2020 at 1:30 p.m.