Leave of absence was granted to Hon. Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, MP for Arima, Mr. Dinesh Rambally, MP for Chaguanas West and Ms. Khadijah Ameen, MP for St. Augustine from today’s Sitting of the House.

The House paid tribute to former Parliamentarian, Mr. Arthur Sanderson, who passed away on November 26, 2023. Mr. Sanderson served as the Member of Parliament for Fyzabad during the 3rd Republican Parliament.

The House paid tribute to former Parliamentarian, Ms. Marlene McDonald, who passed away on December 8, 2023. Ms. McDonald served in varying capacities during the 9th, 10th and 11th Republican Parliaments.

The Speaker of the House, Hon. Bridgid Annisette-George, MP, informed of correspondence received from the President of the Senate on the concurrence of the Senate with House of Representatives in the establishment of a Joint Select Committee to consider and report on The Representation of the People (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2020.

The Miscellaneous Provisions (Trustees, Exchequer and Audit Act, the Minister of Finance (Incorporation) Act, Proceeds of Crime, Income Tax, Companies, Partnerships, Securities, Tax Information Exchange Agreements, the Non-Profit Organisations and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters) Bill, 2023 was read a first time in the House in the name of the Minister of Finance. The Miscellaneous Provisions (Registrar General, Companies, Registration of Business Names and Non-Profit Organisations) Bill, 2023 was also read for a first time in the name of the Attorney General.

31 Papers were laid. See the Order Paper.

16 reports were presented. See the Order Paper.

Two urgent questions were posed. See the Order Paper.

There are five questions on notice for oral answer. Four questions are to be answered and one deferred for two weeks. See the Order Paper.

Additionally, one of the seven questions for written response was deferred and the rest answered.

The Member for Princes Town sought leave to move a matter of privilege of the House involving the response of the Minister of Public Utilities to urgent questions.

The Minister of Finance made a statement concerning the laying of the Report on the Operations of the National Insurance Board of Trinidad and Tobago and the Audited Financial Statements for the financial year ended June 30, 2023.

The Finance Bill was introduced by the Minister of Finance, who moved that the next stage of the Bill be taken later in the proceedings.

The Minister of Finance, Hon. Colm Imbert, MP, moved the second reading of the Finance Bill, 2023. Debate began on the bill. Nine members contributed to the debate before the wind up by the Minister of Finance. The bill was then committed to a Committee of the Whole for consideration clause by clause. The bill was read a third time and passed, with amendments.

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Sen. the Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon, moved a motion regarding the exemption from import duties of customs for certain goods for the period January 1st, 2024 to December 31st, 2026. Mr. Ravi Ratiram was the sole contributor to the debate. The motion was approved.

The Member for Barataria / San Juan asked for the withdrawal of Private Members Motion No. 1 (on the Order Paper). The motion was removed.

The House brought greetings to the nation on the upcoming celebration of Christmas. The Sitting concluded at 8:58 p.m.