THE donation from the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) to the Legislative Assembly of Tonga as their token of friendly sentiment towards the people of Tonga.

The People’s Republic of China’s Ambassador to Tonga, HE Wang Donghua revealed this when he represented IDCPC in handing over new furniture and office appliances worth over TOP$148,000 to the Legislative Assembly last Friday.

HE Donghua said IDCPC’s donation is their support for improving of the Parliament’s office facilities.

The new office furniture and appliances worth over TOP$148,000 is a grant from IDCPC as a result of a parliamentary delegation visit to Beijing last year, led by the Speaker, Lord Fakafanua.

THE Hon. Prime Minister of Tonga has suffered a mild stroke in New York.

The Acting Prime Minister, Lord Ma’afu confirms this in Parliament this morning.

He says a doctor in New York confirmed that Lord Tu’ivakano is in a stable condition.

Lord Ma’afu also calls on MPs to remember Lord Tu’ivakano in their prayers so he could return home and continue his role as the Prime Minister of Tonga.

Parliament News understands the Prime Minister spoke last Saturday at the 67th session of United Nation’s General Debate in New York.

ONE of the most common and significant needs raised by MPs while presenting their 2013 constituency reports is the call for reduction in the age of elderlies eligible for the Government’s social benefit scheme.

HA’APAI 12 constituency Member of Parliament has welcomed a motion for his private Bill to be further reviewed and resubmit for consideration by the House.

The Bill was tabled in Parliament last Wednesday (September 18th, 2013) in a report of the Standing Committee on Legislation.

Mo’ale Finau’s private Bill calls for the amendment of the Constitution to provide for people to elect Noble's Representatives to Parliament.

Finau accepted the motion put forward by the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Samiu Vaipulu.

Mo’ale asked the House to further discuss the report relating to his private Bill in the Whole House Committee.

“This is because it was not tabled in accordance with the normal procedure of the House,” maintained Mo’ale Finau.