(1) The Payment Systems Regulator may give guidance consisting of such information and advice as it considers appropriate -

(a) with respect to the operation of specified provisions of the interchange fee regulation and these Regulations;

(b) with respect to any other matter relating to its functions under the interchange fee regulation and these Regulations;

(c) with respect to any other matters about which it appears to the Payment Systems Regulator to be desirable to give information or advice.

(2) Guidance given by the Payment Systems Regulator under this regulation -

(a) may be given to persons generally or to a class of persons;

(b) may be intended to have continuing effect, and

(c) may be given in writing or other legible form.

(3) Guidance which is given as described in paragraph (2)(a), (b) and (c) is referred to in this Part as "general guidance".

(4) The Payment Systems Regulator may give financial or other assistance to persons giving information or advice of a kind which the Payment Systems Regulator could give under this regulation.