House of Representatives

Sittings

47th Sitting of the House of Representatives

1st Session - 9th Republican Parliament

Friday 5 December, 2008
1:30 PM
Announcements By The Speaker/Deputy Speaker
Leave of Absence

The Speaker granted leave of absence from today’s sitting to the Member for Siparia.

Papers
Three Papers

Three Papers were laid and referred to the Public Accounts Committee. All three were in the name of the Minister of Finance.

Questions To Ministers: Oral Answer
Two Questions

Two Questions qualified for oral answer. Both Questions were deferred. See the Order Paper for details

Questions To Ministers: Written Answer
Two Questions

Two Questions qualified for written answer. The response to one question was circulated. See the Order Paper for details.

Private Business: Motions
Private Motion: Containing Food Prices

Debate resumed on a Private Motion by the Member for Cumuto/Manzanilla on containing food prices. The Member for Oropouche East resumed his contribution (from 31 October 2008).

Statements By Ministers
Housing Projects

Before the Member for Oropouche was granted an extension of speaking time, the Minister of Planning, Housing and Environment made a Statement clarifying a number of issues relating to housing.

Private Business: Motions
Private Motion: Containing Food Prices

The Member for Oropouche East once again resumed his contribution on the Motion, followed by the Member for Barataria/San Juan and the Member for Tabaquite, during whose contribution debate was suspended.

Matter On The Adjournment
Functioning of Parliamentary Committees

The Member for Tabaquite raised the matter of “the inaction of the Government in not facilitating the Committees of Parliament which are provided for in the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to function in an open and transparent manner to serve the public interest.” The Leader of the House and Minister of Works and Transport responded.

Matter On The Adjournment
Escalating nationwide incidence of flooding

The Member for Oropouche East then raised the matter of “the failure of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to undertake infrastructure maintenance and development in a timely manner to prevent the escalating nationwide incidence of flooding with its attendant damage to property and crops and the resultant human suffering, death, dislocation, destitution, serious health hazards and fall in worker productivity.” The Minister of Works and Transport responded.

Adjournment
The House adjourned to Friday December 12, 2008 at 1:30 p.m.

At its next sitting the House proposes to consider Senate amendments to the Financial Institutions Bill, 2008 and the Tobacco Control Bill, 2008, which is currently before a Special Select Committee of the Senate.