The President granted leave of absence to Sen. Subhas Ramkhelawan and Sen. Pennelope Beckles. Dr. Lennox Bernard and Mrs. Sherrie Ali were appointed to temporarily replace Sen. Ramkhelawan and Sen. Beckles respectively during their absence.

The President of the Senate rose to state that the following matter raised by the Leader of Government Business in the Senate has been referred to the Committee of Privileges for full consideration and report.

“An allegation of contempt of the Senate by Senator Faris Al-Rawi in that he made negative reflections on the Vice-President in her capacity as Presiding Officer on April 10, 2012.”

The Children Bill, 2012 was brought to the Senate by the Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development who moved that the next stage of the Bill be taken at a Sitting of the Senate to be held on Tuesday May 08, 2012. This was granted.

The Miscellaneous Provisions (Maternity Protection and the Masters and Servants Ordinance) Bill, 2012 was brought to the Senate in the name of the Minister of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development who moved that the next stage of the Bill be taken at a Sitting of the Senate to be held on Tuesday May 08, 2012. This was granted.

Seven Papers were laid. See Order Paper and Supplemental for details.

The Second Report (2011/2012) Session of the Joint Select Committee on Parliamentary Accommodation was presented to the Senate.

Five Questions qualified for Oral Answer, of which four were answered. See Order Paper for details.

Debate resumed on The Regional Health Authorities (Amendment) Bill, 2011. Independent Sen. Prof. Harold Ramkissoon rose to continue his contribution to the debate followed by contributions by Government Sen. the Hon. Embau Moheni, Opposition Sen. Sherrie Ali, Independent Sen. Dr. Lennox Bernard and Government Senator Terance Baynes. Debate was then suspended.

The Senate adjourned to Tuesday May 8, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. when the Senate intends to continue debate on the The Regional Health Authorities (Amendment) Bill, 2011, and begin debate on The Children Bill, 2012 and The Miscellaneous Provisions (Maternity Protection and the Masters and Servants Ordinance) Bill, 2012.
The sitting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.