Thursday, October 11 2012

AFTER a delay of several hours, between Finance Minister Larry Howai wrapping up debate on the 2012/2013 Budget and the House meeting in committee to consider it, clause by clause, the Budget was last night passed by simple majority in the House of Representatives, without the anticipated division of votes ‘for’ and ‘against’.

Finance Minister Howai wrapped up debate at 6.55 pm following which, the House went into committee stage. At 9.43 pm, the House again sat with Howai stating that the Act to provide Goods and Services to the People for the financial year ending September 30 2013, was considered and passed without amendments at the Finance Committee stage.

House Speaker Wade Mark then asked the question of all in favour of the Bill being passed, to which Government MPs said, “Aye”, and then all not in favour, to which Opposition PNM MPs shouted out, “No!”

Despite the ‘nays’ being louder than the ‘ayes’, House Speaker Mark did not call for a division whereby each MP would be called on to individually give their vote. This meant that the Budget was passed in the House.

Government Whip and Oropouche East MP Roodal Moonilal then rose to state the House would adjourn to Friday October 19 at 1.30 pm, when the House would deal with Motion 1 and time permitting, Motion 2 on the adjournment.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar then rose and thanked MPs for their contribution to the debate. She also thanked the House Speaker, deputy Speaker, Hansard staff and other Parliamentary ancillary staff.

Speaker Mark mirrored the Prime Minister’s words of gratitude saying that a budget debate, although lengthy, a key debate which affords the people’s representatives to contribute.

He then invited MPs to partake in an after-Budget get together complete with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. However, when the House was adjourned, Opposition MPs quickly packed their bags and left the Parliament chamber at Tower D, International Waterfront Centre in Port-of-Spain, leaving Government MPs to mingle among themselves. Debate on the Budget in the Senate is expected to commence tomorrow.