The Speaker granted leave of absence to the Member for Tunapuna (June 24-29, 2023) and the Members for Mayaro and Chaguanas West from today’s Sitting.

The Speaker then indicated the presence in the Chamber of two representatives from the Parliament of Zambia.

The Arbitration Bill, 2023, which was passed in the Senate on June 13, 2023, was read a first time in the name of the Attorney General.

13 Papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

Three Reports were presented. See the Order Paper.

Six Prime Minister’s Questions qualify for oral answer. See the Order Paper

Two Urgent Questions were approved for oral answer. See the Order Paper.

There is one Question on Notice listed for oral answer. See the Order Paper.

The Minister of Rural Development and Local Government moved the second reading of the Anti-Doping in Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which is in the name of the Minister of Sport and Community Development. The Member for Caroni Central made a contribution before the Minister rose to wind up. The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider the Bill clause by clause. The Bill was then read a third time and passed, with amendments.

The Minister of Rural Development and Local Government moved a Motion in the name of the Attorney General to extend the Economic Sanctions (Implementation of United Nations Resolutions on The Islamic Republic of Iran) Order, 2023. The Member for Barataria/San Juan was first to enter the debate, followed by the Member for Port-of-Spain South. The Minister of Rural Development and Local Government then rose to wind up. The Motion was then approved.

The Minister of Rural Development and Local Government then moved a Motion asking the House to approve the Statement of the President re the Economic Sanctions (Implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2653(2022) on the Republic of Haiti) Order, 2023. The Member for Naparima was first to enter the debate.

The Speaker moved the second reading of the Trinidad and Tobago Netball Association (Incorporation) Bill, The Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies Incorporation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Trinidad and Tobago National Council on Alcoholism (Incorporation) (Amendment) Bill, 2023. In each case the Bill was considered in Committee and approved without amendment. The Bills were then read a third time and passed.

Tributes were paid to Mr. Roopnarine Rambachan, former MP for Siparia, who passed away on April 25, 2023 at the age of 92.

The Member for St. Augustine raised as a matter on the motion for the adjournment of the house, “the failure of the Government to deal with escalating crime in the Train Line, Freeman Road, St. Augustine community.” The Minister of National Security responded.

The Member for Barataria/San Juan then raised the need for international observers at the upcoming Local Government Election. The Minister of Rural Development and Local Government responded.

At the next sitting, the House will consider Private Business. The Sitting ended at 7:28 p.m.