(1)For the purposes of subsections (2) and (3), there continues to be a committee 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 251(1), or making any regulations pursuant to section 251(5)(b), the Secretary of State must 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)The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision about the Advisory Group and the regulations 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 must 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 meaning given by section 251.