The President of the Senate read a letter from the Deputy Speaker of the House informing of the decision of the House of Representatives to appoint a Joint Select Committee appointed to consider legislative proposals for the amendment of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The President of the Senate informed the House of an upcoming Parliamentary Seminar on January 25th and 26th, 2011 to which all Senators were invited.

The President advised the House of the appointment of Mr. Terrence Deyalsingh to replace former Sen. Ted Roopnarine on the Standing Orders Committee of the Senate.

Tribute was paid to Sir Ellis Clarke, former President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, who passed away on December 30, 2010.

The Finance (Supplementation and Variation of Appropriation)(Financial Year 2010) Bill, 2011, which was passed in the House of Representatives on January 15, 2011, was read a first time in the Senate.

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

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

One Question qualifies for written answer.

The Leader of Government Business moved a Motion asking that Mr. Terrence Deyalsingh replace Mr. Ted Roopnarine on the Public Accounts Committee. Leave was granted.

The Minister in the Ministry of National Security resumed his contribution (from December 14, 2010) on the Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2010. He was followed by Sen. Dr. Rolph Balgobin, Sen. Prof. Harold Ramkissoon and Sen. Dr. James Armstrong. The Minister of National Security then rose to conclude. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed with amendments. It was then read a third time and passed. A division was taken at third reading, the result of which was 29 for, one abstention.

The Minister of Finance moved the Second Reading of the Finance (Supplementation and Variation of Appropriation)(Financial Year 2010) Bill, 2011. Sen. Dr. Lester Henry was the first to respond to the presentation of the Minister, followed by Sen. Subhas Ramkhelawan, the Minister of Public Utilities and Sen. Pennelope Beckles-Robinson. 12 Senators made contributions before the Minister of Finance rose to conclude. The Bill was later read a third time and passed.

At the next sitting, debate is expected to begin on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Kidnapping and Bail) Bill, 2010