The President of the Senate announced the appointment of new Independent Senator, Dr. Varma Deyalsingh, by the President of the Republic.

Independent Senator Varma Deyalsingh took the oath of allegiance.

The President of the Senate informed of correspondence received from the Speaker of the House on the Establishment of five Joint Select Committees on the Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Bill, 2016, the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority Bill, 2018, the Constitution (Amendment) (Tobago Self-Government) Bill, 2018, the Cybercrime Bill 2017 and the Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters Bill, 2018 and the Tax Information Exchange Agreements Bill, 2018.

The Bill, which was passed in the House on October 16, 2019, was read a first time in the Senate.

There were 11 Papers laid. See the Order Paper.

The Leader of Government Business moved motions to establish Joint Select Committees to consider the Constitution (Amendment) (Tobago Self-Government) Bill, 2018, the Cybercrime Bill 2017, the Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority Bill, 2018 and the Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters Bill, 2018 and the Tax Information Exchange Agreements Bill, 2018, in concurrence with the House of Representatives. Six Senators were appointed to each Committee. The motions were approved.

The Minister in the Ministry of Finance moved the second reading of the Appropriation (Financial Year – 2019) Bill, 2018. Debate began on the Bill and will continue at the next Sitting of the Senate.

The Sitting concluded at 7:54 p.m. The Senate adjourned to Monday October 22, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.