Sittings
7th Sitting of the House of Representatives
4th Session - 11th Republican Parliament
Leave of absence were granted to Mr. Esmond Forde, MP for Tunapuna, for the period October 31 – November 7, 2018 and to Dr. Fuad Khan, MP for Barataria / San Juan and Mrs. Glenda Jennings-Smith, MP for Toco / Sangre Grande from today’s Sitting.
The Speaker announced the names of appointees to the five Sessional Select Committees for the 4th Session.
The Speaker informed of the Senate’s concurrence with the House on the establishment of five Joint Select Committees.
The Speaker provided her ruling on a privilege matter raised by the MP for Arouca / Maloney, Hon. Camille Robinson-Regis, MP, regarding an exchange between the Member for Oropouche East and the Member for Laventille West at a Sitting on October 10, 2018. She ruled that a prima facie case of breach of privilege was made and required further consideration by the Committee of Privileges.
27 papers were laid. See Order Paper for details.
Three urgent questions were posed. See Order Paper for details.
Dr. Tim Gopeesingh made a request for leave to move the adjournemnt of the House on a defiinte matter of urgent public importance namely the unprecedented widespread devastating flooding of October 19, 2018 that affected the nation, in particular, the constituency of Caroni East. The Speaker was not satisfied that this matter qualified under Standing Order 17.
The Leader of the House moved a motion that Mr. Rushton Paray be appointed to the JSC on Human Rights, Equality and Diversity in lieu of Mr. Barry Padarath. The motion was carried.
The Minister of Finance moved a motion to adopt the Report of the Joint Select Committee on the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2018. Debate began on the motion. The Report was adopted.
The Minister of Finance moved the second reading of the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2018. The Bill was then taken to a Committee of the Whole House to be considered clause by clause. Clauses 1-4 were considered.
Member for Chaguanas West, Mr. Ganga Singh, raised a matter on the adjournment namely the failure of the ODPM to appropriately respond to the flooding of October 19. The Minister of National Security responded.