§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he proposes to issue guidance to the fire service in Scotland on the procedures to be followed under the Fire Services (Discipline) (Scotland) Regulations 1985; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YoungerI have today placed in the Library a copy of the guidance to be issued to firemasters. This guidance, like the regulations themselves, has been the subject of consultation with fire authorities, representative bodies in the fire service and the national joint councils. It represents the agreed procedure for handling cases under the regulations and is designed to assist fire authorities and members of brigades to achieve uniformity of practice and natural justice in disciplinary matters, consistent with the needs and traditions of the fire services.