"responsible Minister" means the Minister responsible for the public authority which holds an official document. 4.—(1) A public authority shall cause to be published within twelve months of— (a) the appointed day; (b) its establishment; or (c) the coming into operation of an order under section 5 (3) which specified that authority, Publication of information by public authority. whichever is later, an initial statement of its organization and functions containing the information specified in the First Schedule. (2) The provisions of the First Schedule shall apply for the purposes of making available to the public the documents described in that Schedule. First Schedule. (3) The information required under subsection (1) shall be published in such manner and shall be updated with such frequency as may be prescribed. (4) The Minister may amend the First Schedule by order subject to affirmative resolution. Application of Act. 5.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), this Act applies to— (a) all public authorities; (b) official documents created by or held by a public authority not earlier than thirty years immediately preceding the appointed day. (2) The Minister may, by order subject to negative resolution, declare that this Act shall apply to official documents created by or held by a public authority at such date, being earlier than the thirty years referred to in subsection (1) (b), as may be specified in that order. (3) The Minister may, by order subject to affirmative resolution, declare that this Act shall apply to— (a) such government companies, other than those specified in paragraph (e) (i) of the definition of "public authority", as may be specified in the order; (b) any other body or organization which provides services of a public nature which are essential to the welfare of the Jamaican society, or to such aspects of their operations as may be specified in the order. (4) An order under subsection (3) may be made subject to such exceptions, adaptations or modifications, as the Minister may consider appropriate. (5) The Minister may, by order subject to affirmative resolution, declare that the application of this Act in relation to any government company specified in paragraph (e) (i) of the definition of "public authority" shall be subject to such exceptions, adaptations or modifications as the Minister may consider appropriate. (6) This Act shall not apply to— Prepared by the Access to Information Unit Jamaica Archives & Records Department Office of the Prime Minister © Government of Jamaica 2003