The Secretary of State may give guidance to the HCA as to the exercise of any of its functions.
Before giving guidance under this section, the Secretary of State must consult such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
The Secretary of State must publish any guidance given under this section as soon as reasonably practicable after giving it.
The Secretary of State may revoke guidance given under this section.
The Secretary of State must—
consult, before revoking guidance under this section, such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate, and
publish the fact that the guidance has been revoked as soon as reasonably practicable after the revocation.
The HCA must, in exercising its functions, have regard to any guidance for the time being in force under this section.
References in this section to giving guidance include references to giving guidance by varying existing guidance.
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