(1)For the purposes of subsections (2) and (3), the Secretary of State shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the passing of this Act, by regulations establish a committee to be known as the Patient Information Advisory Group (“the Advisory Group”).
(2)Before laying before Parliament a draft of any statutory instrument containing regulations under section 60(1), or making any regulations pursuant to section 60(4)(b), the Secretary of State shall seek and have regard to the views of the Advisory Group on the proposed regulations.
(3)The Secretary of State may seek the views of the Advisory Group on such other matters connected with the processing of patient information or of any information (other than patient information) obtained or generated in the course of the provision of the health service as he considers appropriate.
(4)Regulations under subsection (1) may, in particular, make provision as to—
(a)the persons or bodies who are to be represented by members of the Advisory Group,
(b)the terms of appointment of members,
(c)the proceedings of the Advisory Group, and
(d)the payment by the Secretary of State of—
(i)such expenses incurred by the Advisory Group, and
(ii)such allowances in respect of expenses incurred by members of the Advisory Group,
as he may determine.
(5)The Secretary of State shall publish, in such manner as he considers appropriate, any views which he receives from the Advisory Group pursuant to subsection (2).
(6)In this section “the health service”, “patient information” and “processing” have the same meaning as they have for the purposes of section 60.