Sittings
25th Sitting of the House of Representatives
1st Session - 10th Republican Parliament
The Deputy Speaker granted leave to the member for Tunapuna and the member for San Fernando East from today’s sitting.
The Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2010, which was passed in the Senate on January 18, 2011, was read a first time in the House of Representatives. The Bill is in the name of the Minister of National Security. The Leader of the House obtained leave for the next stage of the Bill to be taken on January 21, 2011.
Five Papers were laid. See the Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper.
The Leader of the Opposition made two Personal Explanations in response to statements made by the Minister of Education in the first instance, and the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs in the second instance.
Four Bills, the Data Protection Bill, 2011, the Customs (Amendment) Bill, 2011, The Electronic Transactions Bill, 2011 and the Miscellaneous Provisions (Ministry of Justice) Bill, 2011 were introduced.
The Attorney General moved the second reading of the Miscellaneous Provisions (Remand) Bill, 2010. The Member for Diego Martin North/East was first to enter the debate, followed by the Minister of Legal Affairs and the Opposition Chief Whip. The Attorney General then rose to conclude the debate. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed without amendment. A division was taken at third reading, the result of which was 24 for, 10 against, no abstentions.
The Minister of Trade and Industry moved a Motion seeking exemption from Import Duties of Customs for certain items, including items to be used in offshore petroleum exploration. The Member for Point Fortin made a brief intervention. The Minister then concluded and the Motions were approved.
The Member for Diego Martin North/East raised as a matter on the motion for the adjournment of the House, “the irresponsible manner in which the Government is treating with the regularization of “PH” drivers.” The Minister of Works and Transport responded.
The Leader of the House indicated that it was the intention of the Government to take the Firearms (Amendment) Bill, 2010 through all its stages at the next sitting.