The President granted Leave of Absence to Sen. the Hon. Dr. Lenny Saith,Sen. Laurel Lezama, Sen. Dr. Sharon-ann Gopaul – McNicol and Sen. Annette Nicholson-Alfred. Mr. Noel Gayle, Mr. Foster Cummings, Dr. Fuad Khan and Dr. Rolph Balgobin were appointed to temporarily replace the senators respectively.

The Medical Board(Amendment) Bill, 2009, which was passed in the House of Representatives on Wednesday July 22, 2009, was read a first time in the Senate. The Bill is in the name of the Minister of Health.

Four Papers were laid, three by the Leader of Government Business, two in the name of the Minister of Public Administration and the other in the name of the Minister of Information and one was lain by the Minister of Trade and Industry and Minister in the Ministry of Finance. See the Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper for details.

16 Questions qualify for oral Answer. Two questions were answered. See the Order Paper for details.

21 Questions qualify for written answer. See the Order Paper.

The introduction of The Tobacco Control Bill, 2009 was done in the senate by the Minister of Health.

Debate began on the Medical Board (Amendment) Bill, 2009. The Minister of Health read the bill for a second time. Seventeen Senators made contributions before the Minister rose to conclude debate. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed without amendments. It was then read a third time and passed.

The Minister of Health ask the Senate to agree with the amendments made in the House of Representatives. It was agreed to accept the amendments.

Private Business will be the agenda on the next sitting.