The Vice-President informed the House that the President of the Senate (Sen. the Hon. Danny Montano) was acting as President of the Republic. The Vice-President also announced that Sen. the Hon. Arnold Piggott was out of the country. Mr. Joel Primus and Mr. Foster Cummings were appointed to replace Sen. Montano and Sen. Piggott respectively during their absence from the Senate.

The Financial Institutions Bill, 2008, which was debated and passed in the House of Representatives on November 14, 2008 was read a first time in the Senate. The Minister moved that the next stage of the Bill be taken on December 2, 2008. Leave was granted.

Nine Papers were laid. Seven Papers were laid by the Minister in the Ministry of Finance, while the Leader of Government Business laid two papers on behalf of the Minister of Public Administration and the Minister of Education. See the Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper for details.

Three Questions qualify for Oral Answer. One Question (92) was answered and the others deferred for two weeks. See the Order Paper for details.

Two Questions qualify for written answer. See the Order Paper for details.

The Minister of Information made a statement in the Senate about the relationship between Government and the Media.

The Minister of Health moved the Second Reading of the Tobacco Control Bill, 2008. Five members made contributions before the Minister concluded the debate. The Bill was referred to a Special Select Committee of the Senate.

At its next sitting the Senate will consider Private Business. The sitting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.