Ministers are proposing the creation of an independent commissioner who would scrutinise nominations for top jobs.

The executive's proposals also include a new supervisory role for MSPs.

But critics say the scheme falls short of requirements.

Deputy Finance Minister Peter Peacock unveiled five new measures while giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament's local government committee.

He said these measures would:

• give MSPs a role in interviewing and recommending the proposed Scottish public appointments commissioner;

• establish a "whistle blowing" procedure which would allow the commissioner to report a minister to parliament who seriously contravenes the public appointments system;

• give parliament the key role in the scrutiny of the commissioner's annual report;

• put a duty on ministers to inform parliamentary committees of vacancies; and

• put a duty on ministers to inform parliamentary committees of outcomes.

Mr Peacock said: "We have already taken significant steps forward in extending openness and accountability in public life.

"These proposals will give Scotland an independent, accountable and open public appointments system - far more open that in the rest of the UK."

Parliamentary approval

But the minister's claims were challenged by the Scottish National Party MSP Alex Neil who has proposed a Public Appointments Bill.

He said this would ensure that all public appointments were democratically scrutinised by the parliament and give MSPs the power to interrogate - and possibly veto - the nominees for top public jobs.

Mr Neil argued that this was the only way to end cronyism and guarantee openness in the public sector north of the border.