NORTH and north-east MPs last night stepped up pressure on the British Government over the threat that proposed tougher European working-time rules poses to the provision of the fire and rescue service in Scotland.
Argyll and Bute Liberal Democrat MP Alan Reid plans to try to challenge Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy today over fears the change could make emergency cover using part-time firefighters illegal.
He is the latest to sign a motion expressing concern about a European Parliament vote to end Britain's opt-out.
And Gordon Lib Dem MP Malcolm Bruce is demanding a meeting with Mr Murphy to warn of the huge cost of turning a part-time service covering island and remote rural communities to a solely full-time one.
Mr Reid said last night: “It is clear that it would be impossible to achieve anything approaching adequate fire cover without the vital work which retained fire-fighters do.
“The loss of the huge contribution retained firefighters make would be a disaster. Full-time firefighters simply could not be employed across our area with anything like the same coverage – the consequences would be slower response times and, ultimately, the loss of lives."
Mr Bruce, who has written to Business and Enterprise Secretary Lord Mandelson, said: “My understanding is that to turn the fire service in Grampian into one that is full-time could cost between £35million and £100million and other brigades would face similar costs.”
A spokesman for the Department of Business and Enterprise said: “The government understands the importance to the UK of the individual’s right to opt out of the 48-hour working week.
“Many, like those in the Retained Fire Service, choose to make use of this important flexibility and we remain firmly of the view that this right should remain."
Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Lib Dem MP Danny Alexander put in a request for a Westminster Hall debate. He said: “We have to keep up the pressure on the Government. There is no room for compromise. We have to make sure there is 100% protection for Highland communities."
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Lib Dem MP John Thurso has written to Business and Enterprise Secretary Lord Mandelson calling for a meeting to discuss the threat.
In the Highlands and islands, Inverness is the only one of 96 stations staffed by full-time firemen.
Norman M Macleod of Point, Lewis, said: “Around 1,500 firemen would have to be employed on a full-time basis and that would involve a huge cost – anything up to £100million.”
The fire board agreed to make representations to allow the fire service in the area to continue with the opt-out clause which is in place.