One of Britain's most senior medics was appointed yesterday to lead the Scottish Parliament Commission, looking into more devolved powers for Holyrood but not independence.

One of Britain's most senior medics was appointed yesterday to lead the Scottish Parliament Commission, looking into more devolved powers for Holyrood but not independence.

Sir Kenneth Calman, the former chief medical officer in Scotland and then England who is now chancellor of Glasgow University, is to chair a committee preparing an interim report by the end of the year.

They are to look at new financial powers for Scotland. They may also consider returning some powers from Holyrood to Westminster, and its new chairman said yesterday his report could conclude that there is no case for change.

Defining himself as a Scot within the UK, he said independence "is not an issue" for his group to consider. "Seventy-seven per cent of the Scottish public don't think independence is the right way forward," he said.

"All of the work over the last few years makes it pretty clear that's not an issue right now. There are plenty of other issues that are relevant to Scotland, its institutions and its parliament which will give us plenty to look at."

The SNP responded to his appointment by increasing pressure on the three opposition parties behind the commission - Conservative, Labour and LibDems - to commit it to a referendum as the means of testing public support for their plan.

The Scottish Government wants an independence referendum in 2010, and has offered its opponents the opportunity to put its proposal on the ballot.

The First Minister will today set out the second phase of his National Conversation on Scotland's constitutional future, speaking to representatives of civic Scotland including voluntary groups, trade unions, education and business.

Seven months after its launch, he will stress the conversation is inclusive of all ideas and opinions, whereas the new commission has already ruled out independence.

The Scottish Parliament Commission was yesterday backed by the UK cabinet and endorsed by Gordon Brown, resolving a dispute over what it should be called in favour of the title chosen by the Holyrood party leaders behind the plan.

The Prime Minister said: "Together we are determined to review the provisions of the Scotland Act in the light of 10 years' experience, while securing Scotland's place within the United Kingdom."

The remit from the group is taken from a motion passed by the Scottish Parliament last December, looking at how the Scottish Parliament can better serve the people of Scotland, improve its financial account-ability and secure Scotland's position within the United Kingdom. It will report to both the UK Government and to the Scottish Parliament.

While the intention is for its funding, research and staff support to come from both sources, it is not clear if any money can be secured from Holyrood's budget.

Sir Kenneth said neither he nor other committee members will be paid. He said it was a privilege to be appointed "at one of the most interesting points in the history of devolution in Scotland.

"It is a genuine opportunity to take stock of what the settlement has achieved to date and the challenges it may yet have to address in the years to come".

He said that after a career in boosting public well-being, it was the well-being of Scotland that he would keep in mind in the commission's work.

Sir Kenneth said he would not have taken on the job if he believed the Prime Minister would dictate to it.