68.Section 45 permits the Secretary of State to make regulations allowing student support authorities to supply information collected in connection with the operation of the student support scheme to prescribed persons, with the consent of the individuals in relation to whom information is to be supplied. The intention is to be able to simplify the interactions of citizens with other government or higher education organisations. The regulations will specify the conditions under which information may be supplied including what information may be supplied and the organisation to which it may be supplied. They may also specify further constraints such as restrictions on passing on information received and the manner in which consent must be obtained.
69.The effect of the provisions in relation to Wales is that the regulation-making powers can be effectively exercised by the Assembly only after the student support functions have been transferred to it. Prior to this, the Assembly will have no functions relating to the operation of the student support scheme and, accordingly, can hold no student support information (as defined in the section).