Leading cultural bodies have expressed fears over the future of artistic independence in Scotland in their official responses to the proposed Culture Bill.

The bill, introduced by the last Scottish Executive, contains controversial measures which give ministers power to interfere in the workings of Creative Scotland, the proposed new national culture funding body.

In the results of the official consultation to the bill, published this week, the 212 bodies consulted have expressed "strong concern" about the powers, which many believe destroy the traditional "arm's length" distance between ministers and the arts.

They also fear that the provisions could directly interfere with the artistic judgment of Creative Scotland.

In particular the National Galleries of Scotland and the National Museums of Scotland expressed their opposition to any powers of direction given to ministers in the bill.

The bill states that ministers, after the establishment of the new arts funding body Creative Scotland, can give it "directions" with which it "must comply".

A new document, summarising the reaction of the arts world to the bill, says: "There was strong concern from respondents about the ministerial powers of directions'. The majority of respondents felt the arm's length' principle would be diminished they believed that this proposal could interfere with Creative Scotland artistic judgment. There was a strong view amongst respondents that Creative Scotland should remain independent from the executive and ministerial intervention is to be avoided."

Linda Fabiani, who holds the brief for Europe, external affairs and culture, has already signalled she will reconsider the controversial measures contained in the Culture Bill.

She is aware of considerable unease in the arts world over the powers contained in the bill, and said in a statement yesterday: "There has been a vigorous debate around the Draft Culture (Scotland) Bill, I will be taking the many issues into consideration before setting out the government's plans. Plans for cultural legislation will be addressed in the upcoming statement on the legislative programme."

In a previous interview with The Herald, the minister said: "I think there's an awfully fine line between political influence and political interference, and you have to be very careful about crossing that line. You cannot censor creativity or you are not really promoting the arts."

Since the establishment of the Scottish Arts Council, the "arm's length" principle has been enshrined - that politicians have no direct say or involvement in arts funding and the financial support of artistic companies by the state.

Patricia Ferguson, the previous Minister for Culture, has said the provision is a technical addition that applies to the setting up of all Non Departmental Public Bodies (NDPB) and the executive was not interested in the "day to day" running of the arts.

The bill says that Scottish ministers may "give directions of a general or specific character and issue guidance to Creative Scotland as to the exercise of Creative Scotland's functions." It continues: "Creative Scotland must comply with any directions given to it by the Scottish ministers and must have regard to any guidance so issued."

The report also shows that although the majority of those consulted agree with the general principle of a single funding body (63%), "consultees were also concerned about the proposal for Creative Scotland to have a particular responsibility to pursue the economic benefits of arts and culture.

"A considerable number thought that this would diminish the importance of arts for art's sake'."

A board has been established for the new Creative Scotland - which is a merger of the existing funding bodies Scottish Screen and the Scottish Arts Council - and it is thought to be established officially early next year.