The executive remains committed to its dispersal policy

Workers at NHS Education, NHS Quality Improvement and NHS Health Scotland have been told their posts are being transferred to two new sites.

The moves are part of a shake-up of health service jobs involving a total of 850 people.

Another 2,000 jobs in Edinburgh are under review, MSPs have been told.

The changes were announced by Tavish Scott in his last appearance before the Scottish Parliament's finance committee as deputy finance minister.

This policy will not be stalled or unravelled over any misunderstanding about exactly what ministers can and cannot do, according to interpretation of legislation Tavish Scott Deputy Finance Minister

The headquarters of the Scottish Court Service and the office of the Legal Services Ombudsman could also be relocated, he said.

A Crown Office transcription unit and the new convenor of the Water Customer Consultation Panels, will also be moved.

Since 1999, 2,400 civil service jobs have moved out of Edinburgh, Mr Scott said.

Concerns have been raised about the dispersal policy after it emerged that the executive had no powers to force the Mental Welfare Commission to transfer to Falkirk.

'Clear power'

Mr Scott said: "To avoid any doubt about the relationship between the responsibilities of public bodies, ministers are exploring legislative routes to take a clear legal power on location.

"This policy will not be stalled or unravelled over any misunderstanding about exactly what ministers can and cannot do, according to interpretation of legislation."

However, Mr Scott also faced concerns that ministers could find ways to side-step guidelines after it emerged that the relocation of Communities Scotland was done outwith the executive's best practice rules.

About 55% of the workforce have moved to cities including Glasgow, Dundee and Inverness in the last six years.

The largest number of staff who moved worked for the Commission for the Regulation of Care. A total of 560 people relocated to six sites, including Dundee, Paisley and Inverness.