The Speaker granted leave of absence to Mrs. Nela Khan, Hon. Dr. Tim Goopeesingh and Mr. Patrick Manning for today’s sitting. The Speaker then invited members to pay their tributes to former member of Parliament, Mr. Desmond Cartey who passed away on March 11th and former Sen. Corrine Baptiste McKnight who passed away on March 7th, 2014. Tributes were paid by the Leader of the House, Opposition Chief Whip, the Speaker of the House.

Eight Papers were laid. Papers number 2-7 were referred to a Select Committee. See the Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper.

21 Questions qualify for oral answer. See the Order Paper.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs made a statement in the House detailing the outcomes of the Prime Minister’s recent visit to the People’s Republic of China. The Prime Minister made a statement regarding the commission of inquiry surrounding the attempted coup of 1990.

The debate on the Motion to Adopt the First Report of the Standing Orders Committee of the House of Representatives which was adjourned on Friday February 21, 2014 will be resumed. The Member for Toco/Sangre Grande was the first to rejoin the debate followed by the Member for Diego Martin North/East, Member for Arouca/Maloney and the Member for Caroni Central. The Member for Oropouche East then rose to respond to the previous contributors to the motion. The Motion was approved by a division of 33 for, none against and no abstentions.

During debate on the Motion to adopt the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, the debate was suspended to allow the Prime Minister to make a statement about the laying of the Report of the Commission of Enquiry into the 1990 attempted coup. The Prime Minister sought and obtained leave of the House to have the Report printed as a House Paper.

The debate on the Motion to Adopt the 98th Report of the Salaries Review Commission which, was adjourned on Friday February 21, 2014 will be resumed. The Member for Pointe-a-Pierre was the first to rejoin the debate forllowed by the Member for Chaguanas West, the Member for Diego Martin North/East, the Member for Laventille East/Morvant, the Member for Caroni East, the Member for Diego Martin Central. The Motion to approve the 98th Report witht he exception of the recommendation to reduce the terms related to transport facilities was then put to a vote. The Motion was then passed with a division of 19 For, 9 Against and 0 Abstentions.

The Minister of Energy gave a statement regarding a report giving an update to the Beetham Waste Water Project

The House has Adjourned to Friday 21st March at 1:30 pm where they will consider Motion No. 2 and Bills No. 1 and 5 under Government Bills.