The Speaker granted leave of absence to the Member for Mayaro (14-25 June), Tobago West (22-25 June), Diego Martin West (24 June-8 July), Laventille East/Morvant (24-26 June), Arima (today), Couva South (today) and Oropouche West (today).

The Emergency Ambulance Services and Emergency Medical Personnel Bill, 2009, which was passed in the Senate on Tuesday June 16, 2009, was read a first time in the House of Representatives. The Bill is in the name of the Minister of Health.

The Member for San Fernando West sought leave of the House to have the Clerk read a Petition on behalf of the Way of Trinidad and Tobago, an organization seeking Incorporation by Act of Parliament. Leave was granted and the Petition was read.

Seven Papers were laid, six by the Minister of Finance and the other by the Prime Minister. See the Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper.

Seven Questions qualify for oral answer. One Question (35) was answered, one (60) lapsed, and the rest deferred for two weeks. See the Order Paper for details.

16 Questions also qualify for written answer. See the Order Paper.

The Member for Caroni East sought leave of the house to raise as a Definite Matter, the cancellation of the First Caribbean Games due to concerns about the spread of the Influenza A – H1 N1 Virus. The Speaker ruled that the matter did not qualify, but would have qualified under Standing Order 11 (Matter raised on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House).

The Prime Minister made a Statement about the Government’s Proposed Regional Economic Initiatives.

The Member for Princes Town North moved a Motion which asks the House to negative the Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Selection Process) Order, 2009. The Minister of National Security was first to enter the debate, followed by the Member for Chaguanas West. A total of seven persons made interventions before the Member for Princes Town North rose to conclude the debate. When the Question was put the Motion was defeated.

The Member for Caroni East raised as a matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House, “the recent dismissal of over twenty (20) WASA employees, who were exercising their rights as workers in petitioning management concerning their terms and conditions of employment.” The Minister of Public Utilities responded.

The Member for Tabaquite raised a second matter, “claims that the government is not honoring the public guarantee it gave to policy holders, security holders and other investors with CLICO, that it would ensure that the monies due to them under the said securities and/or investments are paid to them.” The Minister of Finance responded.

At its next sitting the House will debate the President’s Emoluments (Amendment) Bill, 2009, a Land Acquisition Motion and, time permitting, the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2009. The sitting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.