Leave of Absence was granted to Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, MP for Caroni East, Mrs Marlene McDonald, MP for Port of Spain South and Mr. Prakash Ramadhar, MP for St. Augustine from today’s Sitting.

Fourteen Papers were laid in the names of the Minister of Finance, Attorney General, Deputy Speaker, Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Minister of Education and the Minister of Tourism. Paper 1 was referred to the Public Accounts Committee. See Order Paper and Supplemental Order Papers for details.

Nine urgent questions were posed. Seven questions were answered before time allocated to urgent questions elapsed. See Order Paper for details.

Seven questions qualified for oral answer. See Order Paper for details.

Dr. Bhoedradatt Tewarie, MP, made a request for leave to move the adjournment of the House under Standing Order 17 to discuss the imminent re-introduction of the Property Tax and its widespread public confusion. The Speaker was satisfied that the matter qualified to be raised. The matter was stood down until 6 p.m.

The Minister of Education made a statement on the Report of the Task Force appointed to review the GATE Programme. A question was posed by the MP for Chaguanas East.

Leader of the House, Hon. Camille Robinson-Regis, MP shared on Vision 2030. She indicated that this Strategy document will be subject to a Joint Select Committee of the House. MP for Naparima, Mr. Rodney Charles, MP asked a question on this statement.

The Minister of Finance introduced the Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters Bill, 2017.

The Leader of the House moved the motion to approve the Notification of the nomination of Commodore Anthony Stafford Franklin as a member of the Police Service Commission. Debate began on the motion. The motion was approved.

Hon. Colm Imbert, MP moved the 2nd reading of the Fire Service (Amendment) Bill, 2017 and debate began on this Bill. Debate was suspended for the House to debate a matter of urgent public importance.

Having been approved for debate earlier in the Sitting, debate began on this matter at 6:00 p.m. and concluded at 7:00 p.m.

Following the debate on a definite matter, debate resumed on this Bill. Following the debate, the Bill was taken to the Committee of the Whole and considered clause by clause. No amendments were made. The Bill was read a third time and passed.

The Sitting concluded at 9:06 p.m. The House adjourned to Friday April 28, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.