Principles of interpretation

The following shall be included among the principles to be applied in the interpretation of Acts where more than one construction of the provisions in question is reasonably possible, namely, (a) that a construction which would promote the general legislative purpose underlying the provision is to be preferred to a construction which would not; and (b) that a construction which is consistent with the international obligations of the Government of Belize is to be preferred to a construction which is not; and 38 (c) that, in the absence of any express indication to the contrary, a construction which would exclude retrospective effect is to be preferred to a construction which would not. sub ordinate