Leave of absence was granted to Hon. Terrence Deyalsingh, MP for St. Joseph, for sittings of the House from March 23 – 26, 2018. Leave was also granted to Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP for Siparia and Hon. Darryl Smith, MP for Diego Martin Central from today’s Sitting.

Seven Papers were laid in the names of the Minister of Finance, Attorney General and the Minister of Energy and Energy Industries. Paper 1 was referred to the Public Accounts (Enterprises) Committee and Paper 2 was referred to the Public Accounts Committee. See Order Paper for details.

Six urgent questions were posed.

Nineteen questions qualified for oral answer. Questions #126, #141, #150, #161, #167 and #168 were deferred for two weeks. The time for oral answers expired before questions #169 and #175 were answered. See Order Paper for details.

Mr. David Lee, MP, made a request for leave to move the adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance namely the urgent need for the Government and Trinidad and Tobago Police Service to take immediate steps legislatively and administratively to ensure the protection of women and girls who are victims of domestic violence. The Deputy Speaker was not satisfied that this matter qualified under Standing Order 17.

Debate resumed on the private motion: Failure to Diversify the Economy.

The Sitting concluded at 5:38 p.m. The House adjourned to Wednesday March 28, 2018 at 1:30 p.m.