The Tobago House of Assembly

The island of Tobago has had a violent past since its physical strategic location caused many an European power to battle over its possession. At varying periods Tobago was in the political possession of the Spanish, French, English and Dutch and finally English. By the year 1764 Tobago was a self governing island, inside the political and economic confines of the British, with its own Legislative Council, laws and Governor.

In 1876 the British institutionalised Crown Colony Government.
On April 6, 1888 Tobago was made an associate colony and amalgamated permanently with Trinidad.
In 1974 the Wooding Commission on the Constitutional reform of Trinidad and Tobago observed that the question of Tobago must be addressed
In 1977 the House of Representatives agreed to a resolution in House Paper No. 6, 1978 stating:
"Proper and necessary steps should be taken to accord the people of Tobago internal self-government in 1977 in such measure as will not be contradictory to the Constitutional reality of the Independent unitary state of Trinidad and Tobago..." (Page 8)
In 1979 debate on the Tobago House of Assembly Act begins and is passed as Act No.37, 1980.
In 1996 the new Tobago House of Assembly Act 40, 1996 repeals Act 37, 1980.

The THA Today

Act 40, 1996 gives the THA greater autonomy than the previous legislation in political, financial and social issues. Complete autonomy has not been accorded in the area of law making and the THA is still bound by the Constitution. The THA directly reports to the Minister of Tobago Affairs, who acts on its behalf in the Cabinet and the House of Representatives.