The Deputy Speaker granted leave of absence to the Members for Tunapuna, D’Abadie/O’Meara, Moruga/Tableland, Diego Martin West and Diego Martin Central from today’s sitting.

One Paper was laid. See Order Paper for details.

Minister of State in the Ministry of the People and Social Development presented the Third Report of the Joint Select Committee established to inquire into and report to Parliament on Ministries (Group 2), and on the Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises falling under their purview on the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SPORTT) in the name of the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education.

Minister of State in the Ministry of the People and Social Development presented the Fourth Report of the Joint Select Committee established to inquire into and report to Parliament on Ministries (Group 2), and on the Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises falling under their purview on the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management in the name of the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education.

Minister of State in the Ministry of the People and Social Development presented the Report of the Special Select Committee of the House of Representatives appointed to consider and report on a Private Bill entitled, “An Act for the Incorporation of the Way of Trinidad and Tobago and for matters incidental thereto” in the name of the Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Seven Questions qualified for Oral Answer, of which all were answered. See Order Paper for details.

The Minister of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development moved the second reading of the Miscellaneous Provisions (Maternity Protection and the Masters and Servants Ordinance) Bill, 2012. The Member for Port-of-Spain North/St. Ann’s West rose to initiate the debate followed by contributions by the Members for Laventille East/Morvant, St. Anns East, La Brea, Lopinot/Bon Air West and Diego Martin North/East. Debate was then suspended.

The House adjourned to Friday March 23, 2012 at 1:30 p.m where Private Business will take precedence. Debate which was suspended in the House on January 27, 2012 is expected to continue on a Private Motion moved by the Member for Laventille East/Morvant which asks the House to take note of the dismantling of national security systems and to call on the government to take steps to bring about a reduction in crime in Trinidad and Tobago. The sitting ended at 6:47 p.m.