The Scottish Natural Heritage relocation is proving controversial

Finance Committee convener Des McNulty said the executive appeared to contradict its policy of relocating to areas in need of regeneration.

The executive has been criticised for its decision to relocate Scottish Natural Heritage to Inverness.

But Tavish Scott, the Deputy Finance Minister, said it was not "an exact science, but a political decision".

The finance committee is currently investigating the executive's relocation policy.

It's only significant relocations that are going to make a significant impact Des McNulty Finance Committee convener

Appearing before the committee on Tuesday, Mr Scott revealed that the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Councils and the Royal Fine Arts Commission could also be relocated away from the capital.

The proposed �22m SNH transfer has proved controversial, with the 270 workers said to oppose the move.

The Public and Commercial Services union claimed that SNH had not factored in the cost of the new building and said the real price for the relocation is nearer �44m.

But SNH management denied the accusation.

Mr Scott defended the executive's relocation policy.

'Political decision'

He said: "It's not an exact science and that's why I continue to argue that it's a political decision."

The minister said that plans to relocate other public bodies indicated the executive's desire to spread the benefits of public sector posts throughout Scotland and guard against "recreating Whitehall in Edinburgh".

But Mr McNulty said that the executive appeared to fly in the face of its commitment to regenerate areas which are run-down and suffer from high unemployment.

The committee convener said: "The way these criteria operate seem bizarre.

Tavish Scott defended the executive's relocation policy

"There are a number of areas in Scotland, such as Inverclyde, Clydebank and Paisley, where we have the highest levels of unemployment, that are ruled out by the criteria that are supposed to favour deprivation.

"Opportunistic small relocations are going to make a small impact - it's only significant relocations that are going to make a significant impact."

Referring to the SNH relocation, Edinburgh East and Musselburgh Labour MSP Susan Deacon said the selection criteria could be used as "a licence for any decision at any given time".

'Big challenge'

But Mr Scott said ministers were not bound by consultants' reports and said the final decision in all relocation matters rested with the executive.

Inverness and Nairn Enterprise (INE) and Highland Council, meanwhile, are discussing the merits of the SNH transfer with the heritage body's workers.

INE chief executive Robert Black said: "We understand this move is a big challenge for SNH, its staff and their families and we are doing everything we can to help it happen as smoothly as possible.

"Inverness and its hinterland is a very attractive location to live and work in, with the facilities of city life, but few of the drawbacks."

An employment tribunal into the relocation of the headquarters is due to begin on Wednesday in Edinburgh.