The Speaker granted leave of absence to the Member for San Fernando East and the Member for Laventille East/Morvant from today’s sitting.

Three Papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

Eight Questions qualified for oral answer. See the Order Paper for details.

The Attorney General resumed his wind up (from March 13, 2015) on the Bail (Amendment) Bill, 2015. The Bill was then considered by a Committee of the Whole House and approved without amendment. It was then read a third time and passed. A division was taken at third reading, the result of which was 36 members voting for, none against and no abstentions. The Bill therefore was passed with the requisite special majority.

The Minister of Legal Affairs and Justice resumed his wind up of the Trade Marks Bill, 2014. The Bill was then referred to a Committee of the Whole House to be considered clause by clause, where it was approved without amendment. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. At third reading a division was taken, the result of which was 26 members voting for, ten against and no abstentions. The Bill therefore received the requisite special majority for passage.

The Minister of Transport resumed his wind up of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Bill, 2014. The Bill was then referred to a Committee of the Whole House to be considered clause by clause. The Committee stage was suspended to allow all members sufficient time to consider proposed amendments. Later in the proceedings the Committee stage was resumed and the bill considered and approved with amendments. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. At third reading a division was taken, the result of which was 26 members voting for, ten against and no abstentions.

The Prime Minister moved a Motion asking the House to approve the draft of an Order entitled the Elections and Boundaries Commission Order, 2015. The Member for Diego Martin North/East was first to enter the debate, followed by the Minister of Works and Infrastructure, the Member for Port-of-Spain North/St. Ann’s West and the Minister of Health. 11 Members made contributions before the Leader of the House rose to conclude. The Motion was later approved.

The Minister of National Diversity and Social Integration moved a Motion asking the House to agree with the Senate to an amendment to clause 2 of the Bill. The Motion was approved.

The Member for Diego Martin North/East raised as a matter on the Motion for the adjournment of the House, the chronic shortage of water in the Maraval area. The Minister of State in the Ministry of Water Resources and the Environment responded.

The Member for Diego Martin North/East raised a second matter.

At the next sitting debate is expected on a Motion of censure against the Leader of the Opposition. The sitting ended at 11:44 p.m.