In the governance of Trinidad and Tobago both when under Colonial rule up to 1962 and subsequent to that, under self - rule, Commissions of Enquiries have been appointed to enquire into any matter of national importance and make recommendations. The Commission of Enquiry is headed by a Chairman and sometimes consists of one or several persons. They are given specific terms of reference in the course their work and a time limit in which to submit a report. Commissions of Enquiries were appointed by the Governor in the pre – colonial era and subsequently by the Prime Minister.