Gratuities to dependants when a non-pensionable officer dies in service or as a result of injuries received in the discharge of his duties

(1) Where an officer to whom this section applies dies while in public service under the Government of Belize after serving in that public service for not less than five years, it shall be lawful for the Governor-General to grant to his legal personal representative a gratuity at the rate herein specified for each complete year of that public service, that is to say, (a) for each of that first five years, one week’s pay; (b) for each of the next five years, two weeks’ pay; (c) for each additional year, four weeks’ pay; provided that the total amount of the gratuity shall not exceed the amount of one year’s pay. (2) Where an officer to whom this section applies dies as a result of injuries received in public service under the Government of Belize in the circumstances specified in section 18 (1) (a) and (b) of this Act, before completing five years’ public service under that Government, it shall be lawful for the Governor-General to grant to his legal personal representative a gratuity not exceeding five weeks’ pay. (3) This section applies to an officer who holds, (a) a non-pensionable office; or (b) a pensionable office in which he is not serving on probation and (if his appointment to that office is subject to confirmation) in which he has not been confirmed and who is not eligible for the grant of a pension, gratuity or other allowance under this Act 22 (other than a pension under regulation 24 of the Pension Regulations) or for the grant, under his terms of service, of a gratuity or benefit under any other scheme of superannuation. (4) For the purposes of this section, (a) “pay” means pay at the date of the officer’s death and includes personal allowance and house allowance and any other allowance that the Governor-General may see fit to include; (b) an officer who, having held a non- pensionable office, holds a pensionable office in which he is serving on probation shall be deemed to hold a non-pensionable office and his pay shall be deemed to be the pay last received by him in respect of the non- pensionable office he previously held or the pensionable emoluments of the pensionable office held by him, whichever is the greater; (c) in calculating the period in which any officer has served in public service under the Government of Belize, (i) subject to any general or special direction to the contrary that may be given by the Governor- General only continuous service terminating at his retirement or death shall be taken into account; (ii) no regard shall be had to any period of service for which he is eligible for the grant of or has been granted a pension, gratuity or other allowance under this Act (other than a pension under regulation 24 (4) of the Pension Regulations) or, as provided under his terms of service, a gratuity or benefit under any other scheme of superannuation.