Tribute was paid to Mr. Felix Bellamy, former member of Parliament for Arima (1976-1981) who passed away recently at the age of 92. The House then stood in silence for one minute.

The Speaker granted leave of absence to the member for Port-of-Spain North/St. Ann’s West from today’s sitting (due to illness).

Eight Papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

Three Questions qualify for oral answer. All three were answered. See the Order Paper.

The Member for Port-of-Spain South moved a Motion asking the Government to move expeditiously to enact legislation to effect the portability of vested pension entitlements for both private and public sector employees. The Minister of Finance was first to respond to the motion, followed by the Member for Diego Martin North/East and the Minister of the People and Social Development during whose contribution debate on the Motion was suspended.

The Member for Laventille East/Morvant raised as a Matter on the Motion of the Adjournment of the House, “the loss of employment of Community Environment Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) Workers.” The Minister of Housing and the Environment responded.

The Member for Diego Martin North/East then raised the issue of “solutions to the difficulties being experienced by Clico EFPA policyholders who hold policies with values in excess of $75,000.” The Minister of Finance responded.

At the next sitting the House intend to take through all its stages a Motion to adopt the Report of the Finance Committee of the House of Representatives and the accompanying Finance (Supplementary Appropriation) Bill, as well as Motions to approve Senate amendments to the Data Protection Bill, 2011 and the Trafficking Persons Bill, 2011. Before adjourning, the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Speaker of the House extended Indian Arrival Day greetings to the national community.