Seating changes in Parliament today

TODAY’S sitting of the House of Representatives at 1.30 pm is certain to see some changes in the seating arrangements on the Government’s side, given this week’s Cabinet appointments of St Ann’s East MP Anthony Roberts and Tobago East MP Eudine Job-Davis. Roberts was appointed Labour Minister, replacing Point Fortin MP Larry Achong, while Job-Davis was appointed Junior Community Development and Culture Minister.  Political sources speculated that Roberts could take Achong’s former place between Health Minister John Rahael and La Brea MP Hedwidge Bereaux at the top of the PNM’s backbench, with Job-Davis inching one space up the Government backbench to allow Achong to sit beside Laventille East/Morvant MP Fitzgerald Hinds.

However, given recent events, it is questionable whether the Point Fortin MP will be attending today’s sitting. Hinds is reportedly in discussions with Prime Minister Patrick Manning about a ministerial post. PNM sources said Hinds could take Roberts’ former portfolio as Junior National Security and Housing Minister. Former Junior Social Development Minister Diane Seukeran, who was re-appointed to her old portfolio as Junior Trade and Industry Minister, will remain in her usual spot between Tobago West MP Stanford Callender and Laventille West MP Eulalie James.

Science, Technology and Tertiary Education Minister Colm Imbert will be holding the fort today as Acting Leader of Government Business as Manning and Leader of Government Business, Trade Minister Ken Valley, are attending the CARICOM Heads of Government Summit  in St Kitts/Nevis. The Opposition is expected to have all its members present, including UNC leader Basdeo Panday who returned home from New York on Wednesday. Today is Private Members’ Day and debate is expected to resume on a motion on discrimination filed by St Joseph MP Gerald Yetming.