The Speaker granted extended leave to the Member for San Fernando East from April 25 to July 24, 2012.

The Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Bill, 2011 was read a first time in the House of Representatives. The Leader of the House sought and obtained leave of the House for the next stage of the Bill to be taken later in the proceedings.

The Trinidad and Tobago Postal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2012 was brought from the Senate and read a first time in the House of Representatives.

Twelve Papers were laid. See the Order Paper for details.

Twenty Three Questions qualified for Oral Answer. 16 were answered and the rest deferred to the next sitting. See Order Paper for details.

Debate resumed on the Children Bill, 2012. The Minister of the People and Social Development was first to contribute, followed by the Member for Port-of-Spain North/St. Ann’s West, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and the Member for Laventille East/Morvant. Six members made contributions today (14 over two days of debate) before the Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development rose to conclude. Later in the proceedings the Bill was considered in Committee and passed with amendments. It was then read a third time and passed unanimously (39 for, none against, no abstentions).

During debate on the Children Bill, the Minister of Health was granted leave to make a statement on the improved delivery of Health Care Services to the people of Trinidad and Tobago by the Ministry of Health.

Debate resumed on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Maternity Protection and the Masters and Servants Ordinance) Bill, 2012. The Member for Port-of-Spain South was first to enter the debate on this day, followed by the Member for Arouca/Maloney. The Minister of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development then rose to conclude. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed. At third reading a division was taken, the result of which was 37 for, none against, no abstentions. The Bill was passed with the requisite special majority.

During debate on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Maternity Protection and the Masters and Servants Ordinance) Bill, 2012, the Prime Minister made a statement concerning Trinidad and Tobago’s consideration of the Caribbean Court of Justice as its final court of appeal.

The Minister of Justice resumed his wind up of the debate on the Legal Aid and Advice (Amendment) Bill, 2011. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed without amendment. It was then read a third time and passed. At third reading a division was taken, the result of which was 37 for, none against, no abstentions.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Communication moved the second reading of the Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Bill, 2011. The Member for Point Fortin was first to enter the debate, followed by the Leader of the Opposition. The Minister then rose to conclude. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed without amendment. It was then read a third time and passed by a margin of 28 for, 11 against, no abstentions, receiving the requisite special majority.

The Minister of Justice moved a Motion asking the House to consider Senate Amendments to the Administration of Justice ( Deoxyribonucleic Acid) Bill, 2011. The amendments were approved.

The Member for Diego Martin North/East raised two matters on the Motion for the adjournment of the House, firstly “the destruction by the Diego Martin Regional Corporation of the Saddle Hill Recreation Ground in Maraval.” The Minister of Local Government responded.

The Member for Diego Martin North/East then raised the issue of “the reckless and irresponsible employment practices of the Diego Martin Regional Corporation, specifically in the Disaster Management Unit, and the need for the Minister of Local Government to ensure that persons are properly vetted before they are hired by the Corporation.” The Minister of Local Government responded.

At the next sitting of the House, Private Business will take precedence.