Sittings
44th Sitting of the House of Representatives
2nd Session - 9th Republican Parliament
The Speaker granted Leave of Absence from today’s sitting to the Member for Siparia, the Member for Couva South, the Member for Princes Town North and the Member for Cumuto/Manzanilla.
The Leader of the House laid four papers on behalf of the Minister of Finance. All four papers were then referred to the Public Accounts (Enterprises) Committee.
11 Questions qualify for oral answer. Four Questions were answered and the rest deferred. See the Order Paper for details.
The Minister of Public Utilities made a statement about the context and rationale for the separation of the water and waste water services of the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA). Following his statement, which lasted some 44 minutes, the Speaker ruled that Statements by Ministers should not exceed 20 minutes.
The Prisons (Amendment) Bill was introduced. The Bill is in the name of the Minister of National Security.
The Minister of Health moved the second reading of the Tobacco Control Bill, 2009, which was passed in the House of Representatives on 18 November 2009. The Member for Caroni East was first to enter the debate. During his contribution, debate was suspended to allow a statement to be made.
The Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs made a statement to clarify issues surrounding her Ministry’s provision of financial assistance for education purposes.
The Member for Caroni East resumed his contribution followed by the Minister of Social Development. Eight members entered the debate before the Minister rose to conclude. The Bill was considered in Committee and passed without amendment. At the third reading the bill was passed by a majority of 26 for and four absentions. It therefore received the requisite majority.
At this sitting the House is expected to resume debate on a Private Motion by the Member for Couva North which asks the Government to take immediate steps to bail out the Hindu Credit Union.