The President of the Senate granted leave of absence to Sen. the Hon. Anand Ramlogan S.C. and Sen. the Hon. Embau Moheni who were both out of the country. The President then read a letter from the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago appointing Mr. Christopher Joefield and Mr. Larry Lalla as temporary Senators. They then took the Oath of Allegiance as temporary Senators for the day’s sitting. Dr. Kriyaan Singh continued to serve as a temporary Senator during the absence of Sen. Helen Drayton.

Eight Papers were laid in the Senate. See the Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper respectively.

Sen. Elton Prescott, S.C. presented the Eighth Report of the Joint Select Committee established to inquire into and report to Parliament on Ministries (Group I) and on the Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises falling under their purview on Primary School Education.

The Minister of Planning and Sustainable Development then presented the Report of the Special Select Committee of the Senate appointed to consider and report on a Bill entitled, “An Act relating to the Planning and Development of Land and to repeal and replace the Town and Country Planning Act, Chap. 35:01”.

Three Questions qualified for Oral Answer. By agreement, two questions (72,73) were answered. Questions 74, 75 and 76 were deferred for one week. See the Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper.

The debate on the Nurses and Midwives Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2014 which was in progress when the Senate adjourned on Tuesday April 15, 2014 resumed with the response of the Minister of Health. The Bill was then read a second time. The Senate then resolved itself into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. The Committee Stage was suspended at clause 10 of the Bill at which time the Minister of Health moved to report progress and indicate that the Committee stage would be resumed at a later date.

The Senate adjourned to Tuesday 20th May, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. at which time the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Bill, 2014 will be considered. The sitting ended at 8:30 p.m.