(1)The Secretary of State may issue a code of practice relating to—
(a)the exercise of functions under section 197 or 198 by or on behalf of a Special Health Authority,
(b)procedures to be followed in relation to the disclosure (in accordance with sections 201 and 202) of information obtained by or on behalf of a Special Health Authority in the exercise of such functions.
(2)The Secretary of State must keep the code under review and may from time to time—
(a)revise the whole or any part of the code, and
(b)issue a revised code.
(3)Where the Secretary of State proposes to issue a code of practice under this section he must—
(a)prepare a draft of the code, and
(b)consult such persons as he considers appropriate about the draft.
(4)Where the Secretary of State proposes to issue a revised code under this section which in his opinion would result in a substantial change in the code, he must—
(a)prepare a draft of the revised code, and
(b)consult such persons as he considers appropriate about the change.
(5)Where, following consultation under subsection (3) or (4), the Secretary of State issues the code or revised code (whether in the form of the draft or with such modifications as he considers appropriate), it comes into force at the time when it is issued by the Secretary of State.
(6)A failure to observe any provision of a code or revised code issued under this section does not of itself make a person liable to any criminal or civil proceedings.
(7)A code or revised code issued under this section is admissible in evidence in any criminal or civil proceedings.
(8)Consultation undertaken by the Secretary of State before the commencement of this section is as effective for the purposes of this section as consultation undertaken after that time.