The Speaker granted leave of absence to the Member for Port-of-Spain North/St. Ann’s West from today’s sitting.

42 Papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

Two Questions qualify for Oral Answer. Both were answered. See the Order Paper

One Bill, the Regional Health Authorities (Amendment) Bill, 2011, was read a first time.

The Minister of National Security moved a Motion asking the House to take note of the Statement by the President under Section 9(1) of the Constitution setting out the specific grounds on which the decision to declare the existence of a State of Public Emergency was based. The Leader of the Opposition was first to enter the debate, followed by the Minister of Works and Infrastructure, the Member for Laventille East/Morvant and the Minister of Education. Nine members made contributions before the Minister concluded the debate. The Motion was approved.

At the next sitting, the Minister of National Security is expected to move a Motion asking the House to extend the Proclamation made by the President for a state of emergency by a further three months. The sitting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.