Nine Papers were laid, seven in the name of the Minister of Finance, one in the name of the Minister of Planning, Housing and the Environment and one in the name of the Minister of Health. Two of these Papers were reviewed by the Statutory Instruments Committee. See the Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper for details.

Ten Questions qualify for oral answer. Three questions (93, 104, 106) were answered. See the Order Paper for details.

The Minister of Finance made a statement on the potential impact of the recent developments on the international financial markets, and on the state of the Trinidad and Tobago economy.

The Leader of Government Business in the Senate moved that certain Members of the Senate be appointed to the three oversight Joint Select Committees. Leave was granted.

The Minister of Information moved the Second Reading of the Pensions (Amendment)(No.2) Bill, 2008. In so doing, he sought and obtained leave to debate the Teachers’ Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2008 and the Assisted Secondary School Teachers’ Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 2008. These Bills were debated together and passed in the House of Representatives on July 23, 2008, and were listed in the name of the Minister of Public Administration. Eight Members entered the debate before the Minister began his wind up. The Bills were later passed without amendment.

At its next sitting the Senate will deal with the Trinidad and Tobago National Steel Orchestra Corporation Bill, 2008 and, time permitting, the Prison Service (Amendment) Bill, 2008. Before adjourning, Sen. the Hon. Conrad Enill, Sen. Wade Mark, Sen. Gail Merhair and the President of the Senate extended Divali greetings to the Hindu community.