At Question Time ministers answered the questions of the members of the Riigikogu.

Minister of Defence Margus Hanson answered the question of Toomas Alatalu about the security doctrine and the question of Trivimi Velliste about the Pärnu Single Infantry Battalion as a former of the will of defence.

Minister of the Environment Villu Reiljan and Minister of Agriculture Ester Tuiksoo answered the questions posed on the spot.

The Riigikogu passed the following Acts:

The Riigikogu passed with 64 votes in favour (1 vote against) the Health Insurance Act and Defence Forces Service Act Amendment Act (230 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The Act specifies the role of the Defence Forces and the Health Insurance Fund in financing the medical examinations and medical treatment expenses of members of the Defence Forces, enables the physicians practising in the Defence Forces to issue discount prescriptions to the persons covered by health insurance (members of the Defence Forces) and exempts the persons called to fulfil the duty to serve in the Defence Forces from the charge for health certificates issued by family physicians.

The Act on the Ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (346 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic, was passed with 61 votes in favour. The Protocol is the first international legal act, which defines the following notions: the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. The furnishing of these notions helps to ensure the victims of these crimes to have their rights more efficiently protected. The Protocol establishes minimum standards, which form the basis for the acceding state to ensure the protection of the rights of the child. In addition to the above, the purpose of the Protocol is to strengthen the transnational cooperation in the fight against the sale of children, child prostitution and pornography and to develop preventive work in this field. The Protocol attaches importance to the need to ensure relevant counselling for and rehabilitation of the victims.

The Riigikogu concluded the second reading of the following Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Strategic Goods Act (354 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Bill on Amendments to the Liquid Fuel Act, Fiscal Marking of Liquid Fuel Act and Minimum Stocks of Liquid Fuel Act (349 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic.

The Riigikogu suspended the second reading of the following Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Chemicals Act and State Fees Act (370 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Environment Committee is 3 June, 14.00.

The Bill on Amendments to the Rescue Act, Emergency Preparedness Act, Institutions of Professional Higher Education Act, Code of Misdemeanour Procedure, Hunting Act and State Public Servants Official Titles and Salary Scale Act (250 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Legal Affairs Committee is 3 June, 12.00.

The Riigikogu concluded the first reading of the following Bills:

The Bill on Amendments to the Public Procurement Act (345 SE), initiated by the Estonian Reform Party Faction, the Estonian People?s Union Faction and the Union for the Republic ? Res Publica  Faction. The Estonian Centre Party Faction and the Isamaaliit Faction moved to reject the Bill. The results of voting: 18 votes in favour, 49 against. The Bill remained in the legislative proceeding. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Economic Affairs Committee is 9 June, 12.00.

The Bill on Amendments to the Gambling Tax Act (377 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Finance Committee is 7 June, 15.00.

The Bill on Amendments to the Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure (368 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Legal Affairs Committee is 7 June, 10.00.

The Bill on the Ratification of the Second Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters and the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters and its Additional Protocol (366 SE), initiated by the Government of the Republic. The term for submission of motions to amend to the Legal Affairs Committee is 7 June, 10.00.

The Riigikogu Press Service