The agency—

(a) May respond to a series of individual requests for hearing by conducting a single group hearing;

(b) May consolidate hearings only in cases in which the sole issue involved is one of Federal or State law or policy;

(c) Must follow the policies of this subpart and its own policies governing hearings in all group hearings; and

(d) Must permit each person to present his own case or be represented by his authorized representative.