The Speaker granted leave of absence to the Member for D’Abadie/O’Meara (14-24 June) and to the Members for St. Ann’s East, St. Augustine, Naparima and Pointe-a-Pierre for today’s sitting.

Four Papers were laid by the Leader of the House on behalf of the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Local Government, the Minister of Health and the Speaker of the House respectively. One of these Papers was the Notification of His Excellency, the Acting President, in respect of the nomination of Mr. Stephen Williams for appointment to the Office of Commissioner of Police. See the Supplemental Order Paper for details.

Three Questions qualify for Oral Answer. All three questions were deferred. See the Order Paper for details.

21 Questions qualify for Written Answer. The Leader of the House indicated that the responses to four of the questions were to be circulated. See the Order Paper for details.

The Member for Caroni East sought leave to raise the issue of the absence and unavailability of tuberculin at health centres throughout the country, while the Member for Princes Town North sought leave to raise the issue of Government’s inability to deal with gun related crimes. In both cases the Speaker ruled that the matters did not qualify.

The House considered and approved Senate Amendments to the Immigration (Advance Passenger Information) Bill, 2008.

The Minister of Social Development (Hon. Dr. Amery Browne, MP) moved the Second Reading of the Children’s Community Residences, Foster Homes and Nurseries (Amendment) Bill, 2008. Seven Members participated in the debate, including the Member for Port-of-Spain North/St. Ann’s West who made his maiden contribution in the House, before the Minister concluded the debate. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed with amendments. On the question that the Bill be read a third time and passed the Bill was passed by a division of 32 for and none against.

The Member for Caroni East raised the matter of the failure of the Government to supply sufficient renal dialysis for citizens who need it. The Minister of Health responded.

The Member for Siparia (Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, MP) raised the matter of the Government’s non provision of funding for the extension of the water trucking service to residents of the Penal/Debe region. The Minister of Local Government responded.

The Member for Oropouche East raised the matter of the allocation process being used by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to distribute housing units in the Penal/Debe and Oropouche areas. The Minister of Planning, Housing and the Environment responded.

The House adjourned to Friday June 27, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. at which time the House will continue debate on a Private Motion by the Member for Cumuto/Manzanilla on containing food prices. The Speaker reminded all members about the Post Election seminar to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday of the following week.