The President granted leave of absence to Sen. Helen Drayton. Dr. Rolph Balgobin was appointed to temporarily replace Senator Drayton.

One Paper was laid the name of the Minister in the Ministry of Finance.

Four Questions qualify for oral answer. Three Questions (6, 21 and 22) were answered and the rest deferred. See the Order Paper for details.

One Question qualifies for written answer.

The Leader of Government Business moved a Motion to appoint Senators to the Joint Select Committee – Data Protection Bill, 2009 and the Electronic Transactions Bill, 2009. Leave was granted.

Debate resumed(from February 3, 2009) on a Private Motion by Sen. Prof. Ramesh Deosaran which asks the House to appoint a Joint Select Committee to establish a legislative framework to govern the financing of election campaigns. The Minister of State in the Ministry of Planning, Housing and Environment was first to contribute, followed by Sen. Mohammed Faisal Rahman and Sen. Subhas Ramkhelawan.

At its next sitting the Senate will consider a Motion in the name of the Minister of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources to acquire land for a public purpose. The sitting adjourned at 3:12 p.m.