Quango chiefs 'should be ordered to refuse the offer of bonuses'

The party's Scottish leader, Tavish Scott, said it was up to the Scottish Government to order public sector bosses to turn down five-figure rewards on their pay.

His call came after VisitScotland's chief executive Philip Riddle agreed to refuse a performance-related bonus for the year 2008-9 if he is offered one.

But despite Mr Riddle's voluntary position, the Lib Dems said it was the Scottish Government's responsibility to track its quangos and enforce pay restrictions.

Last night Mr Scott said: "It's totally unacceptable for any quango chief to take a bonus in these tough economic times. The SNP needs to get a grip of the situation and make sure other quango bosses follow the lead of VisitScotland's chief executive."

Finance secretary John Swinney wrote to the bosses of public bodies in Scotland last year, saying that bonuses "should only be used to reward exceptional performance", and asked quango chiefs to give up some or all of the cash.

Last night the government repeated the point and claimed the action had produced positive results. But they did not comment on the call to force the hand of chief executives.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "Given the need to keep a tight rein on public sector pay, the Scottish Government has asked chief executives of public bodies to give up some or all of their bonus voluntarily – something which is not happening elsewhere in the UK – and that request has already produced positive responses."

In an interview with a Sunday newspaper, Mr Riddle said:

"I am conscious that we are working under financial constraints, and that for tourism organisations the potential for pay rises will be limited. I am quite happy to make sure that I share in the constraints of the future."

Last month, ministers said all top doctors, quango chiefs, and NHS board members would see no increase in their salary from April, following political and public pressure. Senior managers on NHS boards have already enjoyed pay hikes of up to 20 per cent this year.

But some quango bosses are continuing their refusal to give up part or all of their bonuses. Both the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Water said bonuses for 2008-9 would not be paid back.