No state funds for PM's Christmas parties

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has reiterated that no state funds are being used for the six Christmas parties she is holding for children across the country. 

"The good news is that we did not take one penny or one cent out of the Government's treasury. All of this has been sponsored," she said Sunday.

“We’ve done these events now, this is our fourth event, there’s one in Mayaro on Tuesday and we go to my constituency on the 19th, the good news is that we didn’t take one penny, or one cent out of the Government’s Treasury, all of this has been sponsored,” she said.

“So let us thank the sponsors for their labour, gifts and the toys,” Persad-Bissessar added.
 
She said a special committee is looking after the arrangements and all assistance is coming from "voluntary labour".

Organisers have asked MPs to coordinate the treats with 400 children from each of the 41 constituencies attending. Where there is no MP other officials have been asked to look after the arrangements..