Leave of Absence was granted to the Member for Port-of-Spain East (Mr. Morris Marshall) for today’s sitting.

The Speaker advised the House on matters pertaining to the whereabouts of TESORO documents in the possession of the Library of the Parliament.

One Paper was laid in the name of the Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (Hon. Joseph Toney). The Paper was referred to the Public Accounts (Enterprises) Committee.

One Question qualified for oral answer. The written response to Question 38 was circulated. See Hansard for details.

The Leader of the Opposition and Member for San Fernando East sought to clarify statements attributed to him by the Minister of Labour (Hon. Dr. Albert Richards). The Minister responded.

The Mechanical Recording of Court Proceedings Bill, 1990 was read a first time in the name of the Attorney General (Hon. Anthony Smart, MP)

The Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (Hon. Joseph Toney) indicated that the Member for St. Augustine consented to waive debate on the Private Motion in his name to the next Private Members’ day in order to allow debate to continue on a Government Motion in the name of the Prime Minister.

Third Day of Debate (resumed from July 23, 1990). Five Members spoke on the Motion.

During the contribution of the Member for Toco/Manzanilla and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister (Hon. Joseph Tony) armed gunmen stormed the Parliament Chamber, taking the Prime Minister and several other members of Parliament hostage. During the ensuing days several persons would lose their lives, including one Member of Parliament, Mr. Leo Des Vignes, who died in hospital as a result of a gunshot wound.