Senate debate on Defence Bill adjourned

Government of Trinidad and Tobago this afternoon pulled the plug on the Senate debate on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Defence and Police Complaints) Bill, which, if passed, would have granted soldiers the powers of arrest.
It was expected that Bill would have gone to a vote late today. However, when the Senate took its usual 4.30 p.m break, Leader of Government Business Ganga Singh, rose and addressed the Senate sitting at Tower D, International Waterfront Centre, Port of Spain. He said the House would be adjourned to April 23. Speaking with members of the media later, Singh said the adjournment would give the Government time to retool and consider the concerns raised by the Independent Senators. The House of Representatives had passed the Bill last month, and it went to the Senate, where the Government needed the support of at least four of the nine Independent Senators. (Trinidad Express)