No vote on THA bill in Parliament today

No vote will be taken on the Tobago bill when the House of Representatives debates it today according to Comunication Minister Jamal Mohammed. The Government’s bill involving provisions to take Tobago further in terms of self-regulation and empowerment, including to make laws and borrowing mechanisms, will be debated at 1.30 pm today.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar laid the bill in Parliament last week making a statement on it. Mohammed said while the PM will be at today’s sitting, debate may likely be started by Attorney General Anand Ramlogan. He said everyone will get a chance to speak.

PNM chief whip Marlene Mcdonald did not respond to queries on who will speak for the Opposition PNM. General secretary Ashton Ford said the PNM would caucus on its arrangements, but he couldn’t detail what might be done. The PNM says it won’t support the bill which requires a three- fourths majority of votes for passage.

Mohammed said no vote will be taken on the bill today since it will be referred to a Joint Select Committee of Parliament for scrutiny. Mohammed was uncertain when the Senate would debate the bill, whether after Thursday’s Cabinet or next week. The Senate will also refer it to a JSC, he said.