The President of the Senate granted leave of Absence to Sen. the Hon. Dr. Lenny Saith, Sen. Dr. Adesh Nanan and Sen. Dana Seetahal, SC. The Oath of Allegiance was administered to Mr. Joel Primus, Ms. Afifah Mohammed and Dr. Rolph Balgobin replacing Senators Saith, Nanan and Seetahal respectively.

The Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill and the Treasury Bonds Bill, which were both passed in the House of Representatives on 7 July 2008, were read a first time. The Minister of Local Government moved that the next stage of the Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill be taken later in the proceedings while the Minister in the Ministry of Finance moved that the next stage of the Treasury Bonds Bill be taken at a sitting of the Senate on Tuesday July 15, 2008.

Six Papers are to be laid. See the Supplemental Order Paper for details.

Seven Questions qualify for oral answer. Four Questions were answered (25, 34, 45 and 68). See the Order Paper for details.

Seven Questions qualify for written answer. The responses to Questions 36 and 66 were circulated. See the Order Paper for details.

The Minister of Local Government moved the Second Reading of the Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill, 2008, which was passed in the House of Representatives on July 7, 2008. 14 Members contributed to the Bill, including maiden contributions from Sen. the Hon. Tina Gronlund-Nunez and Sen. Afifah Mohammed. The Bill was later read a third time and passed, without amendments. On the question that the Bill be read a third time and passed there was a division of 19 for and 9 against.

At its next sitting the Senate will continue debate on the Geneva Conventions Bill, 2008, begin debate on the Treasury Bonds Bill, 2008 and the Children’s Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2008.