Leave of Absence was granted to Hon Stuart Young, MP for Port of Spain North / St Ann’s West, Hon. Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn, MP for Lopinot / Bon Air West, Mr. Rushton Paray, MP for Mayaro, Mr. Rodney Chareles, MP for Naparima, Ms. Ramona Ramdial, MP for Couva North and Hon. Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, MP for St. Ann’s East from today’s Sitting.

Three Papers were laid in the name of the Minister of Finance. All papers were referred to the Public Accounts Committee. See Order Paper for details.

Prime Minister’s Question Time was a feature of today’s Sitting. Members of the Opposition posed questions to the Prime Minister. Eight questions were posed and answered before the time allotted to Prime Minister’s Question time expired. See Order Paper for details.

One urgent question was posed. See Order Paper for details.

Two questions qualified for oral answer. See Order Paper for details.

Hon. Colm Imbert, MP, made a statement on behalf of the Cabinet, indicating that for the past five (5) years, PETROTRIN has treated accumulated losses in the refinery as assets in their financial statements. However, this will no longer continue. The Goverment made a commitment to restore PETROTRIN to the profitable company it once was, but emphasized that the truth of PETROTRIN’s financial position can no longer be hidden. The Government will take the necessary steps to deal with the unreported loss of $4.5Bn at PETROTRIN.

The Attorney General moved the second reading of the Indictable Offences (Pre-Trial Procedure) Bill, 2017. Debate began on this Bill.

The Sitting concluded at 7:32 p.m. The House adjourned to Wednesday March 15, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.