The Speaker granted leave of absence to the member for St. Augustine and the Member for San Fernando East from today’s sitting.

The Financial Intelligence Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (Amendment) Bill, 2011, which was passed in the Senate on Tuesday February 8, 2011 was read a first time in the House of Representatives. The Leader of the House moved that the next stage be taken later in the proceedings. Leave was granted.

One Paper was laid. See the Order Paper.

Six Questions qualify for oral answer. All six questions were answered. See the Order Paper.

The Member for Diego Martin Central raised as a definite matter of urgent public importance, the irresponsible decision of the Government to dismantle the National Aids Coordinating Committee (NACC0 at a critical point in our nation’s response to the AIDS epidemic. The Speaker ruled that the matter did not qualify under Standing Order 12, and advised that it should be raised under Standing Order 11.

The Attorney General moved the second reading of the Financial Intelligence Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (Amendment) Bill, 2011. The Member for Diego Martin North/East was first to enter the debate, followed by the Minister of Education and the Member for Arouca/Maloney. Six Members made contributions before the Attorney General rose to conclude. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed without amendment. It was then read a third time and passed.

The Minister of Public Administration moved the second reading of the Electronic Transactions Bill, 2011. The Member for Port-of-Spain North/St. Ann’s West was first to respond. Debate was then suspended.

The House adjourned to Friday February 11, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. At that time, debate is expected to resume on the Electronic Transactions Bill, 2011. The Committee Stage of the Data Protection Bill, 2011 is also expected to resume. The sitting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.