Interpretation

(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, “action” includes failure to act, and other expressions connoting action shall be construed accordingly; “authority” means– (a) a Ministry, department or agency of Government; (b) the Belize Police Department; (c) a City Council or a Town Council; or (d) other statutory body or authority, and includes any company registered under the Companies Act, being a company in which the Government or an agency of Government holds not less than fifty-one per centum of the ordinary shares, which is declared by resolution of each House of the National Assembly to be an authority for the purposes of this Act; Cap. 250. 6 “complainant” means a person who makes a complaint to the Ombudsman under the provisions of this Act; “Constitution” means the Belize Constitution; “Council” means the Belize Advisory Council established under the Constitution; “emoluments” means salary, allowance and fees; “functions” includes powers and duties; “public office” and “public service” have the meanings assigned to those expressions, respectively, by section 131 of the Constitution; “Public Services Commission” means the Public Services Commission established by the Constitution. (2) The references in this Act to a Ministry, department or agency of Government include references to the Minister, Minister of State, members or officers of that Ministry, department or agency.