Fire Service

Question Time — scottish executive – in the Scottish Parliament at 2:30 pm on 9 December 1999.

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Photo of Lloyd Quinan Lloyd Quinan Scottish National Party 2:30, 9 December 1999

To ask the Scottish Executive what fire service property and equipment is now owned privately as a consequence of construction through the private finance initiative or public private partnerships. (S1O-807)

Photo of Lloyd Quinan Lloyd Quinan Scottish National Party

I thank the minister for that answer, which clarifies the situation. I am sure that the minister agrees that the fire service and the vital cover that it provides will be particularly important over the coming holiday period. Not only is the risk of fire greater, but the service is expected to provide assistance during flooding and storms.

Throughout the millennium celebrations this winter, I have no doubt that the pressure on all the emergency services will be particularly high. Therefore, will the minister join me in condemning the fact that, while this Parliament will enjoy a millennium break, the fire service will be expected to provide cover for our celebrations without a single extra penny in payment? Does he acknowledge the damage to morale that will be caused by the fire service being the only emergency service to work without millennium pay?

Photo of Lord David Steel Lord David Steel Presiding Officer, Scottish Parliament

Order. I remind members that points of view are not supposed to be expressed in questions. That is made clear in standing orders. Mr MacKay, will you answer Mr Quinan's supplementary question?

Photo of Angus MacKay Angus MacKay Labour

I can confirm that there are no prospective private finance initiative or public private partnership projects that will have any impact on service provision over the millennium.