The Speaker granted leave of absence to Member for St. Augustine, the Member for Diego Martin West and the Member for Siparia who are out of the country.The Member for Arouca/Maloney was also granted leave from today’s sitting. The Speaker then read a letter from the President of the Senate to consider the Legislative Proposal entitled the Draft Houses of Parliament Service Authority Bill, 2014. The Speaker then acknowledged a delegation from the Peoples Republic of China in the viewing gallery.

16 Questions qualified for oral answer. 12 Questions were answered with 4 questions being deferred for one week. See the Order Paper. Question Nos. 62 and 63 for written answer were circulated during the sitting;Question Nos. 82 (to be now re-directed to the Minister of Health), 84, 88 and 89 were deferred for one (1) week; and Questions Nos. 61, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 99, 100, 115 and 117 for written answer remained un-circulated.

The Land Tenants (Security of Tenure) (Amendment) Bill, 2014, which is in the name of the Minister of Housing and Urban Development was introduced.

The Minister of Finance and Economy moved the second reading of the Finance Bill, 2014. The Member for Diego Martin North/East was first to enter the debate, followed by the Minister of Works and Infrastructure, the Member for St. Joseph, the Member for Caroni East and the Member for Chaguanas West. 14 Members made contributions before the Minister of Finance rose to conclude. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed with amendments. It was then read a third time and passed.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs made a statement on the “Detention of twenty-three citizens by the Venezuelan Intelligence Services on Wednesday March 19, 2014.”

The House adjourned to Friday April 11, 2014 at 1:30 p.m where they will consider the Motor Vehicles (Road Traffic) Amendment Bill, 2014 and the Miscellaneous Provisions (Administration of Justice) Bill, 2014.