Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Prakash Ramadhar, MP for St. Augustine, from today’s Sitting.

Three papers were laid. See Order Paper for details.

Two reports were presented.

Eight questions were posed to the Prime Minister by members of the Opposition.

Two urgent questions were posed.

Fifteen questions qualified for oral answer. Question # 193 was deferred for two weeks. Questions #211 and #212 were withdrawn.

Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie, MP, sought leave to move the adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance namely the constitutional framework and legal basis for police action against citizens of Trinidad and Tobago in their private homes and in their local communities. The Speaker of the House was not satisfied that this matter qualified under Standing Order 17.

Hon. Fitzgerald Hinds, MP, made a statement regarding the regulation of the private security industry and the need for The Private Security Industry Bill, 2019.

Two bills were introduced.

The Leader of Government Business moved a motion to allow the JSC on the Revenue Authority Bill, 2018 an extension to complete its work and submit a final report by May 13, 2019. The motion was approved.

Debate resumed, from May 1, 2019, on the Whistleblower Protection Bill, 2018. Following the debate, the Bill was considered in the Committee of the Whole and approved without amendments. With 22 voting for, and 16 voting against, the Bill was not passed.

The Sitting concluded at 8:22 p.m. The House adjourned to Friday May 10, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.