The President of the Senate granted Leave of Absence to Sen. the Hon. Therese Baptiste-Cornelis and Sen. Subhas Ramkhelawan. Dr. Vidyha Gyan Tota-Maharaj and Mrs. Parvatee Anmolsingh-Mahabir were appointed to temporarily replace Senators Baptiste-Cornelis and Ramkhelawan respectively.

The President informed the Senate of a letter from the Speaker of the House indicating the appointment of a Joint Select Committee on the Anti-Gang Bill, 2010.

Four Papers were laid. See the Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper for details.

One Question qualified for oral answer. The Question was deferred for two weeks.

The Interception of Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2010 was introduced in the name of the Minister of National Security. The Leader of Government Business moved that the next stage of the Bill be taken later in the proceedings. Leave was granted.

The Leader of Government Business moved a Motion asking that the Anti Gang Bill, 2010 be referred to a Joint Select Committee. Leave was granted.

The Minister of Finance moved the Second Reading of the Finance (No.2) Bill, 2010. Sen. Dr. Lester Henry was first to respond, followed by Sen. Basharat Ali, the Minister of Planning, Economic and Social Restructuring and Gender Affairs and Sen. Terrence Deyalsingh. Debate on the Bill was suspended to allow for debate on another Bill to proceed.

The Minister in the Ministry of National Security moved the Second Reading of the Interception of Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2010. Sen. Pennelope Beckles rose to indicate support. The Minister then concluded the debate. The Bill was considered in committee and passed without amendment. It was then read a third time and passed with a division of 28 for, none against, no abstentions.

Debate resumed on the Finance (No.2) Bill, 2010. Sen. Helen Drayton was the first to contribute, followed by the Minister in the Ministry of National Security and Sen. Shamfa Cudjoe. A total of ten Senators made contributions before the Minister of Finance rose to conclude. The Bill was read a third time and passed.

At this sitting, debate is expected to resume on the Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2010. The sitting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.