Leave of absence was granted to Hon. Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, MP for St. Ann’s East and Ms. Marlene McDonald, MP for Port of Spain South, from today’s Sitting of the House.

The Speaker announced that leave will be granted later in the proceedings for the Leader of the Opposition to introduce the Sedition Repeal Bill, 2019.

Ten papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

Ten reports were presented. See the Order Paper.

Three urgent questions were posed.

Dr. Tim Gopeesingh, MP for Caroni East, made request for leave to move the adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the ongoing criminal activity at the Eric Williams Sciences Complex. The Speaker was not satisfied that this matter qualified under this Standing Order.

The Minister of Finance moved that the next stage of the Bill be taken later in the proceedings. This motion was approved.

The Leader of Government Business moved that the progress of 13 Bills in the 4th Session be resumed in the 5th Session. These Bills are The Urban and Regional Planning Profession Bill, 2019, The Supplemental Police (Amendment) Bill, 2019, The Miscellaneous Provisions (Law Enforcement Officers) Bill, 2019, The Miscellaneous Provisions (Local Government Reform) Bill, 2019, The Private Security Industry Bill, 2019, The Cybercrime Bill, 2017, The Gambling (Gaming and Betting) Control Bill, 2016, The Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters Bill, 2018, The Tax Information Exchange Agreements Bill, 2018, The Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2019, The Constitution (Amendment) (Tobago Self-Government) Bill, 2018, The National Statistical Institute of Trinidad and Tobago Bill, 2018 and The Trinidad and Tobago Revenue Authority Bill, 2018. The motion was carried.

The Minister of Finance moved the second reading of the Government Savings Bonds (Amendment) Bill, 2019. Debate began on the Bill.

The Minister of Finance made a Statement on the results of the Requests for Proposals for the sale of the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery.

Debate continued on the Government Savings Bonds (Amendment) Bill, 2019. Following the debate, the Bill was committed to a Committee of the Whole for consideration clause by clause. The Bill was read a third time and passed, with amendments.

The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, S.C., MP, moved a motion calling on the House to grant leave for the introduction of a Private Members’ Bill entitled The Sedition (Repeal) Bill, 2019. Hon. Fitzgerald Hinds, MP, responded. With 15 votes for, 20 votes against and no abstentions, the motion was not approved.

Dr. Surujrattan Rambachan, MP for Tabaquite, raised a matter on the adjournment regarding the certification of local party boats and the threat it poses to public safety. The Minister of National Security and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister responded.

The House brought greetings to the nation on the celebration of Republic Day. The Sitting concluded at 8:00 p.m. The House adjourned to a date to be fixed.