§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to announce regulations to replace the current Fire Service(a) appointment and promotion regulations and (b) discipline regulations; and if he will make a statement. [125430]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe White Paper, "Our Fire and Rescue Service", presented to Parliament by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 30 June 2003, announced that the Fire Services (Appointments and Promotion Regulations) 1978 would be amended to allow multi-level entry to the fire and rescue service and to support development and promotion opportunities for all fire and rescue service staff through the implementation of the Integrated Personal Development System. It also announced that the Fire Services (Discipline) Regulations 1985 would be repealed and replaced with framework regulations based on the most up to date ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) best practice guidance.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects to be able to announce the changes to be made to the appointments and promotion regulations by the end of October this year. The final content and promulgation of the regulations will, of course, be subject to parliamentary approval. The replacement of the discipline regulations is expected to be subject to the same timetable.