Tribute was paid to Mr. Kenneth Valley, former Member for Diego Martin Central, who passed away on May 6, 2011. Following the tributes, the House stood to observe a minute of silence.

The Speaker read a letter from the Speaker of the House of the Japanese Parliament in response to a letter of solidarity sent by the Speaker on behalf of the Members of the Trinidad and Tobago House of Representatives following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11, 2011.

The Speaker granted leave of absence to the Member for Barataria/San Juan, the Member for Caroni East and the Member for St. Ann’s East.

The Member for Diego Martin North/East presented a petition on behalf of an attorney-at-law, Sasha Franklyn, seeking a true record of the proceedings of the House of Representatives.

Eight Papers were laid. See the Order Paper and Supplemental Order Paper for details.

Two Reports were presented. See the Supplemental Order Paper for details.

Five Questions qualify for oral answer. Two answers were given orally (82,83) and the remainder circulated in writing due to question time coming to an end at 2:15 p.m. See the Order Paper.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs made a statement in the House on the Government’s International Relations and foreign policy strategy.

One Bill was introduced, the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, 2011.

The Minister of Works and Transport raised a matter of privilege in response to comments made by the Leader of the Opposition during debate on April 20, 2011. The Speaker indicated that he would rule later in the proceedings.

The Minister of National Security moved the second reading of the The Miscellaneous Provisions (Kidnapping and Bail) Bill, 2011. The Member for Diego Martin North/East was first to enter the debate, followed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Opposition Chief Whip.

The Speaker ruled on the matter raised earlier in the sitting by the Minister of Chaguanas West against the Member for Diego Martin West and Leader of the Opposition. The Speaker ruled that in his opinion a prima facie case had been made out and referred the matter to the Committee of Privileges for consideration and report.

Debate resumed on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Kidnapping and Bail) Bill, 2011, with the Minister of Legal Affairs, followed by the Member for Arouca/Maloney. The Minister of National Security then rose to conclude. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed without amendments. It was then read a third time and passed.

The Member for Diego Martin Central raised as a matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House, “alleged irregularities in the award of a contract for website development at the Ministry of Planning, Economic and Social Restructuring and Gender Affairs”. The Minister of Housing and the Environment and Leader of the House responded.

At the next sitting, the Leader of the House indicated that the House will consider the Report of the Committee of Privileges. Next, the House will consider amendments to the Anti-Gang Bill, 2011. Also, debate is expected to begin on the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2011. The Speaker also reminded Members of the upcoming cricket match between Parliamentarians and Members of the Judiciary. The sitting ended at 7:50 p.m.