To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-3231 by Mr Jack McConnell on 13 December 1999, when it plans to publish the proposed consultation paper on the modernisation of the system of appointments to public bodies in Scotland. Further to my answer of 13 December 1999, I intend to publish the consultation paper, Appointments to Public Bodies in Scotland: Modernising the System to coincide with a statement to Parliament in early February.