Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Fazal Karim, MP for Chaguanas East, Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie, MP for Caroni Central and Hon. Stuart Young, MP for Port of Spain North / St. Ann’s West from today’s Sitting.

Two papers were laid in the names of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Public Utilities. Paper 1 was referred to the Public Accounts (Enterprises) Committee. See Order Paper for details.

Four urgent questions were posed. See Order Paper for details.

Ms. Ramona Ramdial, MP, made a request for leave to move the adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance namely the implications of the new sea bridge arrangement on Tobago’s food supply. The Speaker of the House was not satisfied that this matter qualified under Standing Order 17.

Debate continued on the motion to adopt the second Report of the Standing Finance Committee. The motion was approved.

The Minister of Finance moved the second reading of the Finance (Variation of Appropriation) (Financial Year 2017) Bill, 2017. Debate began on the Bill. The Bill was read a third time and passed.

The Sitting concluded at 12:48 a.m. on Friday May 12, 2017. The House adjourned to Friday May 19, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.