56.—(1) An independent registered medical practitioner from whom a certificate is obtained under regulation 20(6) of the Benefits Regulations (early leavers: ill-health) must be in a position to declare that—
(a)he has not previously advised, or given an opinion on, or otherwise been involved in the particular case for which the certificate has been requested; and
(b)he is not acting, and has not at any time acted, as the representative of the member, the employing authority or any other party in relation to the same case,
and he must include a statement to that effect in his certificate.
(2) If the employing authority is not the member’s appropriate administering authority, it must first obtain that authority’s approval to its choice of registered medical practitioner for the purposes of regulation 20 and 31 of the Benefits Regulations.
(3) The employing authority and the independent registered medical practitioner must have regard to guidance given by the Secretary of State when carrying out their functions under this regulation or, in the case of the employing authority, when making a determination under regulation 20 of the Benefits Regulations.