Leave of absence was granted to Dr. Fuad Khan, MP for Barataria, Ms. Marlene McDonald, MP for Port of Spain South, Hon. Fitzgerald Hinds, MP for Laventille West, Hon. Esmond Forde, MP for Tunapuna, Mr. Rushton Paray, MP for Mayaro and Hon. Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, MP for St. Ann’s East from today’s Sitting.

Five Papers were laid in the names of the Minister of Finance, Minister of Trade and Industry, Minister of Social Development and Family Services, Deputy Speaker and the Minister of Health. Paper 1 was referred to the Public Accounts (Enterprises) Committee. See Order Paper for details.

Six urgent questions were posed. See Order Paper for details.

Four questions qualified for oral answer. See Order Paper for details.

Dr. Tim Gopeesingh made a request for leave to move the adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance namely the failure of the Ministry of the Health and the Government to establish confidence and alleviate serious fears and apprehensions existing in the medical and nursing professions and in patients and families in most public and private health institutions. The Speaker was not satisfied that this matter qualified under Standing Order (17).

Debate continued on the private motion to condemn the Government’s lack of a clear economic plan to deal with the nation’s present challenging economic conditions. Debate will continue on this motion at another Sitting.

The House brought greetings to the Baptist Community in observance of Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Day on March 30. The Sitting concluded at 5:58 p.m. The House adjourned to Wednesday April 5, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.