17.Section 4 deals with consultation. Subsection (1) places a duty on the Advisory Council, having regard to any advice issued by the Scottish Ministers in that connection, to consult with other parties that have an interest in the matters it considers, as it thinks fit, and to have regard to their views in its consideration and provision of advice. Subsection (3) places a duty on the SQA to consult the Advisory Council on all appropriate issues relating to carrying out its functions; and a corresponding duty on the Advisory Council to consult the SQA. The Scottish Ministers can issue guidance to the SQA and the Advisory Council as to how this duty should be carried out.