House of representatives to resume today

The House of Representatives returns from its mid-year recess today and will sit from 1.30 pm at Tower D of the Port-of-Spain International Waterfront Centre. The main business on the agenda are two motions in the name of Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, seeking the House's approval for Senate amendments to the Bail (Access to Bail) Amendment Bill 2017 and the Criminal Procedure (Plea Discussion and Plea Agreement) Bill 2017.

Prior to this a total of 87 papers will be laid in the House and Government will field questions from the Opposition. Among the questions to be asked, is one from Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal asking if a report from the TT Defence Force's board of inquiry about the circumstances of two children being in possession of guns at a military camp will be made public. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley will miss today's sitting as he is in California having a medical checkup. Rowley returns home next Monday.

Newsday understands that a request for leave for Public Administraion and Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie could be made to Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George today. Cuffie was hospitalised on Tuesday after experiencing a "medical episode."

There may be changes on the Opposition bench as well. During the recess, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar hinted at changes to the Opposition's parliamentary line-up. Sources said this may see the return of Moonilal as Opposition Chief Whip as well as new faces to the Opposition's bench in the Senate, which may sit next Tuesday.