National Assembly Staff Committee (NASC)

Constitutional Authority

Section 67 (1) of the Belize Constitution provides that:

“There shall be a Clerk to the National Assembly (who shall be the Clerk to both Houses) and a Deputy Clerk and such other assistants as may be necessary.”

Section 67(2) of the Constitution further provides that the National Assembly may by law regulate the recruitment and the conditions of service of the staff of the National Assembly.

Acting pursuant to this section, the National Assembly enacted the National Assembly Staff Act, 2000 (Act No. 1 of 2000).

Committee Composition

Section 3 of the Act establishes the National Assembly Staff Committee, which consists of:

  • The Speaker of the House of Representatives

    shall be the chairperson of the committee (or in their absence, the Deputy Speaker)

  • Three (3) members of the House of Representatives

    nominated by the House

  • The President of the Senate

  • 1 Senator nominated by the Senate

  • One (1) member of the staff of the National Assembly

    nominated by the staff (or a person who is not a member of the staff nominated by the staff as an alternative option)

Legal Status and Function

In terms of legal effects, the Act creates a parliamentary service for Belize, regulated entirely by the Act and Regulations made there under, administered by the Committee.

The Committee’s role and administration can be likened to the:

  • Public Services Commission
  • Security Services Commission
  • Judicial and Legal Services Commission

Summary of Powers and Responsibilities

The Committee is mandated to perform the following five core functions:

Appointments & Removals

Advises the Governor-General in respect of the appointment or the removal from office of the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk

Retirement Oversight

In its discretion, determines the age at which a Clerk or Deputy Clerk who is of the age of sixty-five (65) years and who continues in office after that age is to retire

Salary Regulation

Keep the salaries and allowances of its staff broadly in line with the public service

Regulation-Making

Holds regulation-making powers, subject to the negative resolution power of the National Assembly

Staff Management & Discipline

Has the power to appoint other staff of the National Assembly, to confirm such appointments, and to exercise disciplinary control over such persons.
Note: Disciplinary decisions are subject to appeal by an aggrieved member of staff to the Belize Advisory Council.

If you have any questions, kindly contact:

clerkna@bna.gov.bz or call (+501) 822-2141