The President of the Senate granted leave of absence to Sen. Prof. Ramesh Deosaran for the period 17 July -31 July, 2008. Dr. Ralph Balgobin took and subscribed to the oath of office, replacing Sen. Deosaran during his absence from Trinidad and Tobago.

The Bail Amendment Bill, 2008, which was passed in the House of Representatives on Friday July 18, 2008, was read a first time in the Senate. The Bill is in the name of the Attorney General.

Four Papers were laid. All four papers were in the name of the Minister in the Ministry of Finance. See the Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper for details.

Three Questions qualified for oral answer, but were deferred. See the Order Paper for details.

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

Debate resumed (from June 23, 2008) on a Private Motion by Sen. Wade Mark which seeks the implementation of the Equal Opportunity Act. Seven members contributed to the Motion before debate was suspended.

Sen. Wade Mark raised the matter of the Government’s Decision to close National Agrichemical Limited. The Minister of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources (Sen.the Hon. Arnold Piggott) responded.

Sen. Wade Mark then raised the matter of the failure of the Government to safeguard the public interest with respect to the construction of the Ministry of Education tower by the Shanghai Construction Group. The Minister of Planning, Housing and the Environment, Sen. the Hon. Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde responded to the matter.

At its next sitting, the Leader of Government Business indicated that the Senate will complete debate on the Geneva Conventions Bill, 2008, and begin debate on the Children’s Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2008, the Children’s Community Residences, Foster Homes and Nurseries (Amendment) Bill, 2008, The Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2008 and the Teaching Service (Compensation) Bill, 2008. Following this, the Senate will proceed on recess. The sitting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.