Leave of absence was granted to Hon. Maj. Gen. Edmund Dillon, MP for Point Fortin and Hon. Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn, MP for Lopinot / Bon Air West, from today’s Sitting of the House.

The Speaker shared correspondence received from the President of the Senate on the appointment of six named Senators to the JSC on the Fisheries Management Bill, 2020.

In light of the relaxation of COVID-19 measures, the Speaker of the House announced that the seating arrangement in the Chamber will be resumed with sufficient social distancing and wearing of masks.

The Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was brought from the Senate. The Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister moved that the next stage of the Bill be taken later in the proceedings. The motion was approved.

Seven Papers were laid. See Order Papers for details.

One report was presented.

One urgent question was posed.

The Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Ayanna Webster-Roy, MP, moved the second reading of The Domestic Violence (Amendment) Bill, 2020. Debate began on the Bill. Following the debate, the Bill was committed to a Committee of the Whole for consideration clause by clause. No amendments were made. With 26 votes for, 0 votes against and 0 abstentions, the Bill was read a third time and passed.

Mr. David Lee, MP, raised a matter on the adjournment namely the urgent need for the implementation of the Government’s promised COVID-19 small business loan programme to provide relief to small and medium business owners in the areas of Marabella, Claxton Bay and environs. The Minister of Finance, Hon. Colm Imbert, MP, responded.

The Sitting concluded at 6:50 p.m. The House adjourned to Friday June 26, 2020 at 1:30 p.m.