Leave of Absence was granted to the Member for St. Joseph (Hon. Kennedy Swaratsingh, MP) for today’s sitting, to the Member for Barataria/San Juan (Hon. Joseph Ross, MP) for the period March 2-9, 2008 and to the Member for Arouca/Maloney (Hon. Alicia Hospedales, MP) for the period March 2-15, 2008.

Two Papers appeared on the Supplemental Order Paper. One was referred to the Public Accounts Committee and the other to the Public Accounts (Enterprises) Committee.

The Member for Tabaquite sought to pose a question using Standing Order 17 (1) to the Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs related to the Government’s intentions for the Gingerbread House. The leader of the House responded that he was unable to speak on behalf of the Government at this time.

Two questions (39 and 40) were answered and the rest deferred for two weeks.

No answers were circulated.

The Minister of Trade and Industry made a Statement detailing arrangements of the negotiation of an Economic Partnership Agreement between CARIFORUM and the European Union (EU).

The Minister of Foreign Affairs (Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon, MP) and the Minister of Tourism (Hon. Joseph Ross, MP) made their maiden contributions during this debate.
The Bill was passed without amendments.

The Leader of the House moved that the appointment of the Departmental Committees be deferred until March 16, 2008 to allow for further consultation between the Government and the Opposition. Leave was granted.

On the next occasion the House will consider the Retiring Allowances (Legislative Services)(Amendment) Bill, 2008 and, time permitting, the Copyright (Amendment) Bill, 2008