The President of the Senate granted leave of absence to Sen. the Hon. Vasant Bharath and Sen. Dr. Lester Henry, who were out of the country. Mr. Wayne Sturge and Mrs. Camille Robinson-Regis were appointed to temporarily replace Senators Bharath and Henry during their absence. The President of the Senate also read into the record a letter from the Speaker of the House informing the Senate of the appointment of six members of the House of Representatives to serve with an equal number from the Senate on the Joint Select Committee on the Insurance Bill, 2013.

The CARIFORUM European Community Economic Partnership Agreement 2013, which was passed in the House of Representatives on June 21, 2013, was read a first time in the Senate. The Minister moved that the next stage of the Bill be taken at a sitting of the Senate on July 2, 2013. Leave was granted.

Four Papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

Four Questions qualified for oral answer. One Question (53) was answered and the rest were deferred. See the Order Paper.

The Minister of Finance and the Economy made a Statement in the Senate on Amendments to the Securities Act 2012 and the Draft Securities (General) By-Laws.

Debate continued on a Private Motion by Sen. Fitzgerald Hinds asking the Government to re-affirm its commitment to the principles and the practice of democracy in Trinidad and Tobago. The Attorney General was first to respond, followed by the Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development and by Temporary Senator Mr. Wayne Sturge. Debate on the Motion was then suspended.

At the next sitting, debate is expected on the CARIFORUM (Caribbean Community and Dominican Republic) European Community Economic Partnership Agreement Bill, 2013. The sitting ended at 4:30 p.m.