The Speaker indicated receipt of communication from the President of the Republic indicating that appointment of Mr. Basdeo Panday as Leader of the Opposition had been revoked, and that Mrs. Kamla Persad-Bissessar was appointed to the office of Leader of the Opposition. The Speaker noted the service of Mrs. Panday and congratulated Mrs. Persad-Bissessar. The Prime Minister added his congratulations to the Member for Siparia.

The Speaker made his ruling on the matters of Privilege raised by the Member for Siparia. He indicated that no prima facie case had been made.

The Member for La Brea presented a petition on behalf of the Ecclesiastical Council of Spiritual Baptist Churches of Trinidad and Tobago, which seeks incorporation through an Act of Parliament. The Clerk read the Petition. The petitioners were granted leave to proceed.

18 Papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

The Leader of the Opposition sought leave to raise as a definite matter, “the lack of a supply of potable water to over ten thousand residents of Penal and Siparia and the resulting threat to health and safety of these men, women and children.” The Speaker ruled that the matter did not qualify under this Standing Order.

The Prime Minister made a statement on the relationship between the church and the state.

The Member for Oropouche East moved a Private Motion which asks the House to condemn the government for its failure to promote decent, sustainable and productive employment. The Minister of Labour, Small and Micro Enterprise Development was first to enter the debate, followed by the Member for Chaguanas West.

At the next sitting of the House, debate is expected to begin on a Motion by the Minister of Finance which asks the House to take note of the economic situation in the country and the Government’s effort in that regard. The sitting ended at 5:34 p.m.