The Speaker granted Leave of Absence to the Members for Caroni East, Cumuto/Manzanilla, Oropouche West, DM West and Diego Martin Central.

The Speaker read a letter from President of the Senate indicating the decision of the Senate to appoint six members to serve with an additional number from the House of Representatives to consider the Anti-Gang Bill, 2010.

The Speaker presented his ruling on the matter raised by the Member for Diego Martin Central re: Statements made by the MP for D’Abadie/O’Meara. The Speaker indicated that a prima facie case had indeed been made out, and he referred the matter to the Committee of Privileges for consideration.

The Bill, which was passed in the Senate on December 7, 2010, was read a first time in the House of Representatives. The Minister of National Security moved that the next stage of the Bill be taken later in the proceedings. Leave was granted.

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

All three questions that qualified for oral answer were answered. See the Order Paper.

Five Questions qualify for written answer. See the Order Paper.

The Member for Point Fortin sought leave to raise as a definite matter of urgent public importance, the conflict of interest innvolving the offices held by the Member for Chaguanas West. The Speaker ruled that the matter did not qualify under Standing Order 12, but would qualify under Standing Order 11.

The Prime Minister made a statement on the observance of Human Rights Day.

The Minister of Health moved a Motion asking the House to consider Senate amendments to the Children’s Life Fund Bill, 2010. The amendments were approved.

The Attorney General moved the Second Reading of the Bail (Amendment) Bill, 2010. The Member for Port-of-Spain south was first to enter the debate, followed by the Minister of Trade and Industry, the Member for Arouca/Maloney,the Member for Laventille West and the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Legal Affairs. Ten persons made contributions before the Attorney General rose to conclude. The Bill was referred to a Joint Select Committee.

The Leader of the House moved a Motion to appoint six members to the Joint Select Committee appointed to consider the Anti-Gang Bill, 2010 and the Bail (Amendment) Bill, 2010. Leave was granted.

The Leader of the House moved the Second Reading of the Interception of Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2010. The Member for Diego Martin North/East and the Prime Minister made brief interventions before the Leader of the House concluded the debate. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed without amendments. It was then read a third time and passed.

The Ecclesiastical Council of Spiritual Baptist Churches of Trinidad and Tobago (Incorporation) Bill, 2010 was read a second time. The Speaker referred the Bill to a Special Select Committee of the House of Representatives and named the members of the Committee.

The Leader of the House moved a Motion asking that the Standing Orders be referred to the Standing Orders Committee of the House of Representatives for consideration and report. The Member for Diego Martin North/East made a brief intervention. The Motion was approved.

The Member for Diego Martin North/East raised as a matter on the adjournment of the House, “the confusion, uncertainty, and potential for serious economic loss to Trinidad and Tobago that would result if Caribbean Airlines does not proceed with the purchase of nine turboprop aircraft from Avions de Transport Regional (ATR).” The Minister of Works and Transport responded.

The Leader of the House indicated that sittings should resume early in the new year. Before adjourning, greetings were extended on the occasion of Christmas by the Prime Minister, the Member for Diego Martin North/East and the Speaker of the House. The sitting ended at 10:47 p.m.