The President of the Senate granted leave of absence to Sen. the Hon. Therese Baptiste-Cornelis, Sen. Prof. Patick Watson, Sen. Prof. Harold Ramkissoon and Sen. Dr. Victor Wheeler. Dr. Vidya Gyan Tota-Maharaj, Mr. Anthony Moore, Mrs. Parvatee Anmolsingh-Mahabir and Dr. David Picou were appointed to temporarily replace Senators Baptiste-Cornelis, Watson, Ramkissoon and Wheeler respectively.

The Land Tenants (Security of Tenure)(Amendment) Bill, 2010, the Interception of Communications Bill, 2010 and the Finance (No.2) Bill, 2010 were all brought from the House of Representatives and read a first time in the Senate.

One Question qualifies for oral answer. The question was answered. See the Order Paper.

The Minister of Housing and the Environment moved the Second Reading of the Land Tenants (Security of Tenure)(Amendment) Bill, 2010. Sen. Pennelope Beckles-Robinson was first to enter the debate, followed by Sen. Fitzgerald Hinds, Sen. Faris Al-Rawi and the Leader of Government Business. The Minister of Housing and the Environment then rose to conclude. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed without amendment. It was then read a third time and passed. At third reading, a division was taken the result of which was 30 for, none against, no abstentions.

The Senate then turned to Private Business with Sen. Subhas Ramkhelawan winding up debate on his Motion on the efficiency and effectiveness of Parliament. The Motion was approved.

At its next sitting, the Senate will debate the Interception of Communications Bill, 2010. The sitting adjourned at 4:48 p.m.