The Deputy Speaker granted leave of absence to the Member for Mayaro (22 August-10 September), Couva South, St. Augustine and Chaguanas West (today’s sitting). The Deputy Speaker also noted the passing of the mother of the Minister of Finance, and directed the Clerk to send an appropriate letter of condolence to the family of the deceased.

The Member for Siparia sought leave of the House for a petition by the parents of students of St. Bridges School, Siparia to be read. Leave was granted and the petition was read.

The Geneva Conventions Bill, which was passed with amendments in the Senate on 29 July 2008, was read a first time in the House of Representatives. The Bill is in the name of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

21 Papers were laid, 14 in the name of the Minister of Finance, four in the name of the Deputy Speaker, one in the name of the Minister of Labour, Small and Micro-Enterprise Development and two in the name of the Leader of the House. See the Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper for details.

The First Interim Report of the Committee of Privileges of the House of Representatives (2007-2008 Session) was presented. The Report is in the name of the Deputy Speaker and was presented by the Member for Tobago West (Hon. Stanford Callender, MP).

34 Questions qualify for oral answer. The responses to 21 questions (76, 77, 87, 88, 101, 103, 107, 111, 119, 143-145, 149-152, 159, 175-177 and 182) were answered. Standing Orders were waived to allow Question Time to exceed the normal 2:15 p.m. deadline. See the Order Paper for details.

11 Questions qualify for written answer. The Leader of the House indicated that the responses to five questions (1, 81, 130, 161 and 164) would be circulated. See the Order Paper for details.

The Member for Caroni East (Dr. Tim Gopeesingh) sought leave of the House to raise as a Definite Matter of Urgent Public Importance the impending dengue fever epidemic. The Deputy Speaker was satisfied that the matter qualified. The House agreed and the matter was stood down until 6 p.m.

The Children Bill, 2008 and the Electronic Transactions Bill, 2008 were introduced in the name of the Minister of Social Development and the Minister of Public Administration respectively.

The Minister of Social Development moved that Senate Amendments to the Children’s Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2008 be considered. The Amendments were approved. See the Order Paper for a list of the amendments.

The Minister of Social Development then moved a Motion to approve Senate Amendments to the Children’s Community Residences, Foster Homes and Nurseries (Amendment) Bill, 2008. Following contributions by the Member for Siparia and Tunapuna, the amendments were approved.

The Minister of Finance moved the Second Reading of the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2008. The Member for Fyzabad made a contribution and the Minister of Public Administration concluded the debate. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed without amendments.

The Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security (Hon. Donna Cox, MP) moved the Second Reading of the Prison Service (Amendment) Bill, 2008. Contributions were made by the Member for Oropouche East and Princes Town North before the Minister concluded the debate. The Bill was then read a third time and passed without amendments.

The Member for Caroni East moved a Private Motion to annul/rescind the Regional Health Authorites (Conduct) Regulations, 2008. Debate was suspended at 6 p.m. to begin debate on the Definite Matter of urgent public importance approved earlier.

The Member for Caroni East raised the matter of the Impending Dengue Fever Epidemic. The Minister of Health responded.

The Member for Caroni East resumed his contribution on the Private Motion. The Motion was seconded by the Member for Oropouche East, who then entered the debate. He was followed by the Member for Siparia, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health. The Member for Caroni East then responded and the Leader of the House concluded the debate. The Motion was defeated.

The Minister of Education moved a motion asking the House to agree with Senate Amendments to the Teaching Service Compensation Bill, 2008. The Member for Siparia, the Member for Caroni East and the Leader of the House made brief interventions before the Minister concluded the debate.

At its next sitting the House will debate a Private Motion in the name of the Member for Tabaquite which asks the House of Representatives to declare that it has no confidence in the Prime Minister. The House adjourned at 9:25 p.m.