Written question asked by Lord Hammond of Runnymede (Conservative) on Friday, 25 June 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 July 2004. It was answered by Nick Raynsford (Labour) on Monday, 5 July 2004 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, whether it is his policy that new negotiating machinery for pay and conditions within the Fire Service must include representatives of fire service unions other than the Fire Brigade Union.

Answer: Mr. Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether it is his policy that new negotiating machinery for pay and conditions within the Fire Service must include representatives of fire service unions other than the Fire Brigade Union. [181572] Mr. Raynsford: It is the Government's policy, set out in the White Paper `Our Fire and Rescue Service', that union participation in negotiating arrangements for the Fire and Rescue Service should be widened. We hope that voluntary reforms will achieve this. However, Government is seeking reserve powers under the Fire and Rescue Services Bill which would enable it to set up new statutory arrangements if voluntary reforms do not result in improvement.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 181572; 423 c452W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Conditions of employment Collective bargaining Fire and rescue services Pay Modernisation Trade unions
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk