Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Prakash Ramadhar, MP for St. Augustine, from today’s Sitting of the House.

Three Bills will be introduced. See Order Papers for details.

There were 15 Papers laid. See the Order Paper.

One Report from Committees was presented.

Prime Minister’s Question Time was a feature of the Sitting. Thirteen questions were posed to the Prime Minister by members of the Opposition.

One urgent question will be posed. See Order Paper for details.

There were 20 Questions on Notice listed on the Order Paper. Questions #123, #126, #129, #132 and #133 were deferred for two weeks.

Dr. Roodal Moonilal, MP, made a request for leave to move the adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance namely, the ongoing and increasing uncertainty and confusion at state owned PETROTRIN. The Speaker was not satisfied that this matter qualified under Standing Order 17.
Mr. Ganga Singh, MP, also made a request for leave regarding the controversy involving the head of the Judiciary, the Chief Justice and its office holder. The Speaker was not satisfied that this matter qualified under Standing Order 17.

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Ayanna Webster-Roy, MP, made a statement on Government’s National Policy on Gender and Development.
Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Keith Rowley, MP, then proceeded to make a statement on The Constitution (Amendment) (Tobago Self-Government) Bill, 2018.

In accordance with Standing Order 122(1), the Attorney General moved the suspension of Standing Order 78 to permit the introduction of the Anti-Gang Bill, 2018. The motion was carried. The next stage of the Bill will take place later on in the Proceedings.
The Prime Minister introduced The Constitution (Amendment) (Tobago Self-Government) Bill, 2018 and moved that, in accordance with Standing Order 64(1)(c), the Bill be referred to a Joint Select Committee. This motion was approved.
The Criminal Division and District Criminal and Traffic Courts Bill, 2018 was also introduced.

The Attorney General, Hon. Faris Al-Rawi, MP, moved the second reading of the Registration of Titles to Land (Amendment)(No.2) Bill, 2017. The Member for Oropouche East was first to enter the debate, followed by the Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister and the Member for Mayaro. Debate on the Bill was then adjourned.

The Leader of the House moved a motion to establish a Joint Select Committee to consider and report on the Constitution (Amendment) (Tobago Self-Government) Bill, 2018 and listed six persons to serve on the Committee. The motion was approved.

The Attorney General moved the second reading of the Anti-Gang Bill, 2018. The Leader of the Opposition gave her rebuttal to the debate after which the Attorney General presented his wind up. The Bill was then committed to a Committee of the Whole for consideration on a clause by clause basis. Amendments were made at the Committee Stage. The Bill was read a third time and passed, with amendments.

The Sitting concluded at 8:21 p.m. The House adjourned to Friday March 16, 2018 at 1:30 p.m.