The Speaker granted leave of absence to the Member for Mayaro (Mr. Winston Peters, MP – 29 June to 1 July), Tobago West (Hon. Stanford Callender, MP – 30 June to 3 July), Couva South (Mr. Kelvin Ramnath, MP – today) and Point Fortin (Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon, MP – today).

Two Papers were laid. Both were in the name of the Minister of Finance (Hon. Karen Nunez-Teshiera, MP) and were laid by the Leader of the House (Hon. Colm Imbert, MP). They were referred to the Public Accounts (Enterprises) Committee. See the Order Paper for details.

Six Questions qualify for oral answer. Two questions (171 and 172) were answered and the others deferred for two weeks. See the Order Paper for details of these questions.

14 Questions qualify for written answer. See the Order Paper for details.

The Member for Siparia moved a matter of privilege related to statements made by the Minister of Local Government during a Matter on the Adjournment on June 18, 2008 concerning the provision of funds to provide truck borne water to residents in Penal/Debe. The Speaker acknowledged receipt of the matter and indicated he would rule at a later time.

The Treasury Bonds Bill, which seeks to authorize the Minister of Finance to issue Treasury Bonds for the purpose of liquidity management, was to be introduced. The Bill is in the name of the Minister of Finance (Hon. Karen Nunez-Teshiera, MP)

The Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education (Hon. Christine Kangaloo, MP) moved the second reading of the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago (Amendment) Bill, 2008. The Minister also made her first contribution to a debate as a Member of the House of Representatives. The Bill seeks to amend the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago Act, Chap. 39:06 to extend the transitional period from four years to five years and to allow for provisional registration. Four Members spoke on the Bill, including the first contribution to a debate as a Member of the House of Representatives by the Member for Chaguanas East. The Minister then concluded the debate. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed without amendments. It was then read a third time and passed.

The Speaker congratulated the Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education (Hon. Christine Kangaloo, MP) and the Minister of Public Utilities (Hon. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, MP) on their first contributions to a debate as members of the House of Representatives. The House adjourned to Friday July 4, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. On that occasion the House will debate a Motion to approve the Notification of the nomination of Mr. Stephen Williams as Commissioner of Police. Time permitting, debate is expected to begin on the Treasury Bonds Bill, 2008 and on a Motion to authorize the Government to borrow further sums of money in accordance with the Development Loans Act. The House adjourned at 7:30 p.m.