The Speaker granted leave of absence to the Member for Prices Town (March 17-23), Couva South (March 21-28), Pointe-a-Pierre, Barataria/San Juan, Couva North, Diego Martin West and Port-of-Spain South (today).

Tributes were paid in the House to two former Members, Mr. Tajmool Hosein and Mr. John Donaldson, who passed away recently.

One Bill, The University of the Southern Caribbean (Incorporation) Bill, 2012, was read a first time in the House of Representatives.

Ten Papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

The Speaker indicated that the Prime Minister would make a statement in the House later in the proceedings. During debate on the Private Motion, debate was temporarily suspended to allow the Prime Minister to make a statement on the laying of the Executive Report of the Committee on Young Males and Crime in Trinidad and Tobago chaired by Prof. Selwyn Ryan. the document is available on the Parliament website.

Debate resumed, from 22 February 2013, on a Private Motion by Mrs. Patricia McIntosh, on the GATE Programme. The Member for La Brea was first to enter the debate, followed by the Minister of Local Government and the Minister of Housing, Land and Marine Affairs.

Before adjourning, greetings were extended to the Spiritual Baptist and Christian communities on the upcoming Spiritual Baptist Shouter Liberation Day and Easter festivities respectively.