Offshore oil unions have criticised the delay

The move by the Justice Minister, Cathy Jamieson, was described by the OILC as an "unnecessary delay".

The UK home secretary has already proposed tougher penalties for companies whose management failures cause death in England and Wales.

Unions have been pressing for a similar law in Scotland.

Ms Jamieson promised in 2004 that she would consult on legal changes in Scotland and a range of options was expected to be unveiled early this year.

But now the Scottish Executive has decided to set up an expert group to offer advice.

I get the impression that this is more about delaying it until Westminster brings in some kind of diluted version and in Scotland we will just pick it up and run with it Jake Molloy OILC general secretary

The decision has displeased those campaigning for "corporate homicide" to be made a specific offence.

Labour MSP Karen Gillon said she was "disappointed at the further delay".

The OILC, which represents workers in the oil industry, said the expert group would slow the whole process down.

Official 'bemused'

The union's general secretary, Jake Molloy, said he was "bemused" by the minister's decision.

"We have been waiting since Labour came to power in 1997 for this legislation," he told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme.

"I just can't understand the move at all. There is more than enough expert opinion out there.

Jake Molloy: "Bemused" by creation of group

"I get the impression that this is more about delaying it until Westminster brings in some kind of diluted version and in Scotland we will just pick it up and run with it."

He said the proposed Westminster legislation did not contain the threat of a prison sentence for directors.

Under the law the offence would be committed by an organisation, not an individual.

"If we go down that route then I am afraid that nothing will really change in Scotland," added Mr Molloy.

The Scottish Trades Union Congress also expressed concern at the announcement.

Assistant secretary Ian Tasker said: "While we agree that this may be a complex issue there has been ample opportunity to form a panel of experts in the past as the STUC, and a number of our affiliates, have raised this matter with the minister on a number of occasions."

'Reneged' claim

The Scottish National Party's justice spokesman, Kenny MacAskill MSP, said: "The executive promised action only five months ago but it has now reneged on yet another promise to the people of Scotland."

A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said: "The executive has been considering this issue in Scotland very carefully and we will now also want to look at the Home Office proposals.

"This is a complex area of the law and that's why, to assist in the consideration, ministers will be setting up an expert group which will report back to them."