Parliament debates crime tomorrow

THE House of Representatives will debate the crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago when it sits tomorrow at 1.30 pm. At last Friday’s sitting of the Lower House, House Speaker Barry Sinanan turned down a request by Pointe-a-Pierre MP Gillian Lucky to have the matter debated as a matter of urgent public importance. However, Sinanan said because crime was such a grave concern to the national community at this time, he has directed that the matter be listed as a motion on the adjournment of the House at its next sitting.

The Government and Opposition have been poles apart about how to deal with crime and the recent murder of Naparima MP Nizam Baksh’s son, Ashmead, does not appear to have bridged the gap between them. Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday said yesterday he was not convinced that Government will address crime “seriously or otherwise” tomorrow. As far as the regular business goes, tomorrow’s sitting will begin with a meeting of the Lower House’s Finance Committee.

Afterwards, the House will deal with a motion by Public Administration and Information Minister Dr Lenny Saith to approve Senate amendments to the Telecommunications (Amendment) Bill 2004. The Bill was passed in the Senate last Tuesday. Health Minister John Rahael will open debate on the Food and Drug (Amendment) Bill 2004 which will “amend Part II of the Third Schedule of the Food and Drugs Act Chap 30:01 to provide for controls on the distribution of certain chemical substances used in the manufacture of illicit drugs.”