The Speaker granted leave of absence to the Member for St. Joseph (Hon. K. Swaratsingh) for the period 22 July-24 July, the Member for Arima (Ms. P. Beckles) for the period 24 July-6 August and the Member for Oropouche West(Ms. M. Panday) and for Couva South for today’s sitting.

The Leader of the House (Hon. Colm Imbert, MP) made a statement on the Status of the Commission of Enquiry into the Construction Sector and UDeCOTT.

Eleven Questions qualify for written answer. See the Order Paper for details.

The Minister of Information (Hon. Neil Parsanlal, MP) moved the Second Reading of the the Pensions (Amendment)(No.2) Bill, 2008. In so doing, the Minister sought leave to also debate the Teachers’ Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2008 and the Assisted Secondary School Teachers’ Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2008, since all three Bills were related. Leave was granted. Following the presentation of the Minister, the Member for Oropouche East (Dr. Roodal Moonilal, MP) was first to join the debate. Next was the Member for Laventille West (Mr. Nileung Hypolite, MP) who made his maiden contribution. In all some six members made contributions before the Minister of Information concluded the debate. The Bills were, in turn, considered in Committee and passed without amendments.

The Member for Oropouche East raised the matter of the failure of the Managing Director and other agents of the Housing Development Corporation to consult with Opposition Members with respect to the allocation of housing in their constituencies. The Minister of Planning, Housing and the Environment responded.

The Member for Nariva raised the matter of the Insensitivity of the Government in dealing with persons occupying State Lands without leases. The Minister of Planning, Housing and Environment responded.

The House adjourned to a date to be fixed.