Works and Transport Minister Colm Imbert addresses members of the media at yesterday’s post-Cabinet press conference at the new Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair.
Photo: Shirley Bahadur

BY RICHARD LORD

House Leader Colm Imbert says “normal business” will be dealt with when the House of Representatives resumes after the August break this afternoon.

Imbert revealed this during the regular post-Cabinet press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister on St Clair Avenue in Port-of-Spain yesterday.

Imbert refuted claims by Chief Whip Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj that the Government would be using the upcoming Budget preparation to put off an Opposition motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Patrick Manning.

Imbert said this was not so.

He said the Opposition would be given at least 24 hours’ prior notice for the debate.

He stressed that the motion was filed by the Opposition and it was supposed to be ready to debate it the day after it was filed.

Imbert also said the Government had not taken a decision on whether to support an Opposition motion to have the Leader of the Opposition Basdeo Panday’s suspension lifted.

During today’s sitting, Deputy Speaker Pennelope Beckles is expected to present the First Interim Report of the Committee of Privileges for 2007/08 and four Salaries Review Commission reports.

Finance Minister Karen Nunez-Tesheira is expected to present the Income Tax Amendment Bill, 2008 for debate.