Ministers of Government

(1) There shall be, in addition to the office of Prime Minister, such other offices of Minister of the Government as may be established by the National Assembly or, subject to the provisions of any law enacted by the National Assembly, by the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister. (2) Appointments to the office of Minister shall be made by the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, from among members of the House of Representatives and of the Senate, 54 Provided that persons holding the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives or President of the Senate may not be appointed to the office of Minister, Provided further that the Cabinet shall be comprised of, (a) not more than two-thirds of the elected Members of the party that obtains the seats in the of Representatives following the holding of a (b) not more than four Senators, Provided further that, subject to section 42 (3) of this Constitution, a national of Belize may be appointed as Attorney General whether or not that person is a member of either House of the National Assembly. (3) If occasion arises for making an appointment to the office of Minister while the National Assembly is dissolved, then, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, a person who was a member of the House of Representatives or of the Senate immediately before the dissolution may be appointed as Minister. (4) The office of any Minister shall become vacant, (a) if the holder of the office ceases to be a member of the House of Representatives or of the Senate otherwise than by reason of the dissolution of the National Assembly; (b) if, by virtue of section 59 (3) or 64 (3) of this Constitution, he is required to cease to perform his functions as a member of the House of Representatives or of the Senate; 55 (c) if the Governor-General, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, so directs; (d) if the Prime Minister resigns from office within seven days after a resolution of no confidence in the Government has been passed by the House of Representatives or is removed from office under section 37 (4) of this Constitution; or (e) on the appointment of any person to the office of Prime Minister. (4A) Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (4) of this section shall not apply to the office of the Attorney General where the Attorney General is appointed from outside the membership of either House of the National Assembly. (5) In this section, “Minister” means a Minister of the Government other than the Prime Minister.