To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce elected commissioners.

The Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill, currently undergoing Scottish parliamentary scrutiny, proposes to make the Crofters Commission more accountable by providing for elected commissioners. The Scottish Parliament approved that principle of the bill at the debate held on 13 May 2010. The government anticipates that the earliest date by which elected crofting commissioners may take up post would be late 2011.

Commissioners such as the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, Public Appointments Commissioner etc are appointed by Her Majesty the Queen following recommendation by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) and fall out with the remit of the Scottish Government and we are therefore unable to comment on those types of commissioner appointments.