But "patronage on behalf of individuals clearly is not an issue," said Sir Leonard Peach, the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

He said there was "no evidence" of ministers trying to pack trust boards.

Greater local representation

During the last financial year 206 self-declared Labour activists, 28 Conservatives and 27 Liberal Democrats were appointed to NHS trusts, the bodies which govern hospitals.

The high number of Labour activists appointed was the result of a deliberate decision by the Health Secretary Frank Dobson to encourage "greater local and consumer/patient representation," Sir Leonard said.

Sir Leonard explained the findings saying: "Because of the great number of local councils which are Labour we are seeing a great number of Labour appointments - but these appointments are made on merit."

Appointees to be questioned further

Sir Leonard said questioning of potential appointees was to be extended to include whether they had canvassed for a political party.

Currently they are quizzed on holding office in a party, or speaking publicly in support of the party.

But he had decided not to ask appointees if they were members of political parties. "Membership is private, canvassing is public," Sir Leonard said.

'Cronyism' accusation

The Tories, however, accused Health Secretary Frank Dobson of "fiddling" trust appointments.

Shadow Health Secretary Ann Widdecombe said: "Large numbers of experienced people with health, financial and business skills have been pushed aside to make way in many cases for a dubious collection of Labour activists and Tony's cronies."

She described the appointments as another example of cronyism at the heart of the Labour government

More women and ethnic minorities

Sir Leonard welcomed the 9% rise in female representation and the 2.2% rise in representation from ethnic minorities, none of whom were appointed last year.

He said: "Of course there remains scope for further improvement but it is important to recognise the scale of what has been achieved over the last year."

Sir Leonard will become responsible for overseeing another 6,200 public appointments from October when nationalised industries, public corporations, the utility regulators and advisory non-departmental public bodies come under his remit, bringing the his total to 14,000.