House of Representatives

Sittings

8th Sitting of the House of Representatives

4th Session - 12th Republican Parliament

Wednesday 1 November, 2023
1:30 PM
Announcements By The Speaker/Deputy Speaker
Leave of absence

Leave of absence was granted to Hon. Terrence Deyalsingh, MP for St. Joseph from sittings of the House for the period November 1-3, 2023 and to Hon. Shamfa Cudjoe-Lewis, MP for Tobago West, Hon. Ayanna Webster-Roy, MP for Tobago East and Mrs. Anita Haynes-Alleyne, MP for Tabaquite from today’s Sitting of the House.

Hon. Bridgid Annisette-George [Speaker of the House]
Announcements By The Speaker/Deputy Speaker
Change in Membership of Joint Select Committees

The Speaker of the House informed of correspondence received from the President of the Senate, Sen. the Hon. Nigel de Freitas regarding the change in membership of Joint Select Committees.

Hon. Bridgid Annisette-George [Speaker of the House]
Announcements By The Speaker/Deputy Speaker
Appointments to Sessional Select Committees

The Speaker of the House, Hon. Bridgid Annisette-George, announced the appointments to Sessional Select Committees of the House for the 4th Session.

Hon. Bridgid Annisette-George [Speaker of the House]
Papers
29 Papers

Twenty nine papers were laid. See Order Paper for details. Paper #29 was referred to the JSC on Land and Physical Infrastructure for consideration and report.

Hon. Colm Imbert, MP [Minister of Finance]
Mr. Esmond Forde, MP [Government Member]
Hon. Camille Robinson-Regis, MP [Minister of Housing and Urban Development]
Presentation Of Reports From Select Committees
Three Reports

Three reports were presented. See Order Paper for details.

Ms. Vandana Mohit, MP [Opposition Member]
Hon. Marvin Gonzales, MP [Minister of Public Utilities]
Questions To Ministers: Oral Answer
Three urgent questions

Three urgent questions were posed and answered.

Mr. Rudranath Indarsingh, MP [Opposition Member]
Hon. Marvin Gonzales, MP [Minister of Public Utilities]
Mr. Ravi Ratiram, MP [Opposition Member]
Sen. the Hon. Rohan Sinanan [Minister of Works and Transport]
Dr. Roodal Moonilal, MP [Opposition Member]
Questions To Ministers: Oral Answer
Five Questions on Notice

Five questions qualified for oral answer. All questions were answered.

Dr. Roodal Moonilal, MP [Opposition Member]
Hon. Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, MP [Minister of Education]
Mr. Rudranath Indarsingh, MP [Opposition Member]
Hon. Colm Imbert, MP [Minister of Finance]
Sen. the Hon. Avinash Singh [Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries]
Sen. the Hon. Rohan Sinanan [Minister of Works and Transport]
Statements By Ministers
Development and Execution of the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension to Point Fortin Project

The Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Keith Rowley, MP, made a statement on the Saga of the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway Extension to Point Fortin Project: From 2010 to 2023 – An Account of the Development and Execution of the Largest Infrastructure Development Project Implemented in Trinidad and Tobago.

Hon. Dr. Keith Rowley, MP [Prime Minister]
Introduction Of Bills
The Miscellaneous Provisions (Administration of Justice) Bill, 2023

The Miscellaneous Provisions (Administration of Justice) Bill, 2023 was introduced in the name of the Attorney General.

Motions Relating To The Business Or Sittings Of The House And Moved By A Minister Or Parliamentary Secretary
Appointment of Joint Select Committee

The Leader of the House, Hon. Camille Robinson-Regis, MP, moved a motion that the Representation of the People (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2020 be referred to a Joint Select Committee and that the Committee adopt the work of JSC from the 3rd session and report to the House by March 29, 2024. Six members were appointed to the Committee. The motion was approved.

Hon. Camille Robinson-Regis, MP [Minister of Housing and Urban Development]
Government Business: Bills Second Reading
The Miscellaneous Provisions (Testing and Identification) Bill, 2022

The Minister of National Security, Hon. Fitzgerald Hinds, MP, moved the second reading of The Miscellaneous Provisions (Testing and Identification) Bill, 2022. Debate began on the bill. Five members contributed to the bill before the adjournment of the House.

Hon. Fitzgerald Hinds, MP [Minister of National Security]
Mr. Saddam Hosein, MP [Opposition Member]
Hon. Stuart Young SC, MP [Minister of Energy and Energy Industries and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister]
Mr. Rodney Charles, MP [Opposition Member]
Hon. Keith Scotland SC, MP [Minister in the Ministry of National Security]
Adjournment
The House adjourned to a date to be fixed

The Sitting concluded at 5:49 p.m.