The Deputy Speaker granted leave of absence to the Member for Tobago West (March 1-16), Tobago East, Oropouche West and Chaguanas West (today’s sitting)

13 Papers were laid. See the Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper.

Three Urgent Questions were approved. All questions were answered. The Questions are appended to the Order Paper.

There are three Questions on Notice. All three questions were answered. See the Order Paper.

The Prime Minister made a statement regarding Trinidad and Tobago’s covid-19 Status/Response.

The Leader of Government Business moved a motion for the adjustment of the speaking time on the debate on the NAPA and SAPA Bills to a maximum of 45 minutes for the mover and first responder and a maximum of 30 minutes for all other contributors, including the mover in reply. This motion was approved.

The Minister of Culture and the Arts moved the second reading of the National Academy of the Performing Arts Bill, 2022. In so doing, the Minister sought and obtained leave to debate simultaneously the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts Bill, 2022. Four Members made contributions before the  Minister rose to conclude. The Bill was then considered in Committee and approved. It was then read a third time and passed.

The Southern Academy of the Performing Arts Bill, 2022 was then read a second time. It was referred to a Committee of the Whole where it was approved without amendment, read a third time and passed.

The Minister of Labour moved the second reading of the Foreign Labour Contracts (Repeal) Bill, 2021. Three Members made contributions before the Minister rose to conclude. The Bill was considered in Committee and approved without amendment. It was then read a third time and passed.

The Sitting ended at 6:50 p.m.