Composition:

The Tobago House of Assembly consists of:

• Twelve (12) elected Assemblymen;
• Four (4) Councillors: three (3) of whom are appointed in accordance with the advice of the Chief Secretary and one (1) in accordance with the advice of the Minority Leader;
• A Presiding Officer who may or may not be an Assemblyman or a Councillor.

Offices within the Assembly:

The Presiding Officer is elected by the Assemblymen and presides over all Sittings of the Assembly.

The Deputy Presiding Officer is elected from among the Assemblymen and Councillors; and deputises for the Presiding Officer in his/her absence.

The Chief Secretary is elected from among the Assemblymen and heads the Executive Council.

The Deputy Chief Secretary is elected from among the Assemblymen and deputises for the Chief Secretary in his/her absence.

The Executive Council comprises the Chief Secretary, the Deputy Chief Secretary and not more than seven (7) other Secretaries (increased from the original five (5) via THA Amendment Act No. 17 of 2006), selected from among the other Assemblymen and Councillors, as advised by the Chief Secretary. This body is responsible for carrying out the functions of the Assembly. Seven (7) Secretaries, along with the Chief Secretary and Deputy Chief Secretary, are assigned specific areas of responsibility within the Executive Council but are collectively responsible for all decisions of that Council.