The Speaker granted leave of absence to the Member for D’Abadie/O’Meara, Caroni Central and St. Joseph from today’s sitting. The Speaker also granted leave to the Leader of the Opposition for the period April 27-May 11, 2013)

The Speaker read into the record a letter of resignation by Mr. Jack Warner, former Member for Chaguanas West. The Speaker declared the Chaguanas West seat vacant, clearing the way for a bye-election to be held in that constituency within 90 days.

The Minister of Finance and the Economy laid three Papers. All three Papers were referred to the Public Accounts Committee. See the Order Paper.

Two reports were presented. See the Order Paper.

One question qualified for oral answer. This question was answered by the Minister of Community Development. See the Order Paper.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs made a statement in the House

The Minister of Education made a statement acknowledging concerns raised in various quarters about one of the mathematics questions posed to students who sat the Secondary Entrance Assessment on Thursday May 9, 2013.

The Minister of Finance and the Economy moved the second reading of the Customs (Amendment) Bill, 2013. The Member for Diego Martin North/East was first to enter the debate, followed by the Minister of Tourism, the Member for Point Fortin and the Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and the Economy. Six members made contributions before the Minister rose to conclude. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed with amendments. It was then read a third time and passed. A division was tAken the result of which was 26 for, none against, eight abstentions.