The Deputy Speaker, Mr. Esmond Forde, MP, granted leave of absence to the Member of Parliament for Toco/Sangre Grande, Mrs. Glenda Jennings-Smith, MP, for the period September 12th – 16th, 2019 and the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, MP, SC, for today’s sitting.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr. Esmond Forde, MP, read correspondence received from the President of the Senate, Sen. the Hon. Christine Kangaloo on the appointment of Sen. Daniel Dookie in lieu of Mr. Garvin Simonette to serve on the Joint Select Committee on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Local Government Reform) Bill, 2019.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr. Esmond Forde, MP, called on members of the House of Representatives to offer tributes to former President of the Senate, Dr. Linda Baboolal who passed away on Wednesday 12th September, 2019.

Two papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

Six questions were posed to the Prime Minister.

Two Urgent Questions were posed.

Three questions were posed and answered. See the Order Paper.

The Member of Parliament for Oropouche East, Dr. Roodal Moonilal made a personal explanation for statements made during a previous sitting of the House, for which the House had previously moved that an apology was necessary.

The Attorney General, Hon. Faris Al-Rawi, MP, moved the second reading of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2019. 11 Members spoke on the Bill before the Attorney General concluded the debate. The Bill was considered in Committee of the Whole and passed without amendment. It was then read a third time and passed with a division of 28 for, none against and no abstentions.

At the next sitting, the House will consider a Government Savings Bond Bill. The House adjourned at 7:38 p.m.