Leave of Absence was granted to Sen. Subhas Ramkhelawan from 31 Jan – 15 Feb 2008, and to Sen. Basharat Ali for today’s sitting. Dr. Rolph Balgobin was appointed a Senator in place of Sen. Ramkhelawan.

The President read a letter from the Speaker of the House listing Members of the House appointed to the Public Accounts Committee and Public Accounts (Enterprises) Committee.

Tributes were paid to former Senator Haji Ralph Khan by Sen. the Hon. Conrad Enill, Sen. Wade Mark and Sen. Prof. Ramesh Deosaran. Senator Mark also paid tribute to former Senator Roi Kwabena.

Four Papers were laid in the name of the Minister in the Ministry of Finance.
See the Supplemental Order Paper for details.

One Question was answered (9).
Five Questions were deferred (4, 6, 8, 10 and 19).
See Order Paper and Hansard for details.

Debate resumed on the Bill (from January 15, 2008). Sen. Annette Nicholson-Alfred made her maiden contribution in the Senate. The Bill was later considered in Committee and passed with amendments. It was then read a third time and passed.

The Senate adjourned to Tuesday February 19, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. On that occasion the Senate will deal with the Legal Profession (Amendment) Bill, 2008 and, time permitting, the Caribbean Court of Justice Headquarters Bill, 2008.