The Origins:

The Tobago House of Assembly was created and first met in 1768 in George Town, now called Studley Park, which was the designated capital of the island at the time.

By the following year, 1769, the capital of the island was moved to Scarborough and so were the offices of the thirteen (13) member elected House of Assembly (Lower House) as well as the appointed Legislative Council (Upper House).

In 1877, representative government was abolished with the imposition of Crown Colony administration on the island.

Act No. 37 of 1980:

The present Tobago House of Assembly was established by Act No. 37 of 1980, assented to on September 23rd, 1980, for the purpose of "making better provision for the administration of the island of Tobago and for matters therewith".

This Act was incorporated into the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago as Chap. 25:03.

The Assembly comprised twelve (12) elected Assembly-men and three (3) nominated Councillors, and was headed by a Chairman chosen from among its members.

Tobago House of Assembly Standing Orders, 1990:

These Standing Orders constituted the guidelines for the conduct of the business of the Assembly, in accordance with the provisions of the Tobago House of Assembly Act, 1980.