Frances Curran (West of Scotland) (SSP): I am aware that a consultation process is beginning, but I always ask what a consultation is on. Is it on modernising the fire service? When I hear the word "modernising" from ministers' mouths, I—like many people—usually assume that it is a euphemism for cuts in services and jobs. In this case, the cuts relate to fire stations.

Carolyn Leckie (Central Scotland) (SSP):
I take issue with some of Cathy Jamieson's comments in her opening speech, when she referred to the FBU press release and her apparent understanding that there is a threat of strike action. It is a bit rich of Cathy Jamieson to make any comment on the likelihood of an industrial dispute, given the Executive's shameful record in the firefighters' dispute.

Akif Bozat from the Kurdistan National Congress and Mark Muller Chair of the Kurdish Human Rights Project spoke alongside Frances Curran MSP and Rosie Kane MSP at a meeting at the Scottish Parliament yesterday.

The Herald Poll "The SSP continues to perform strongly in the second vote where it records 10%, up three points."

SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 07/10/03

The Scottish Socialist Party this afternoon tabled an amendment to Cathy Jamieson’s ‘Scottish Fire and Rescue Service - Proposals for Legislation’ motion that is before parliament and up for debate on Wednesday.
SSP MSP Frances Curran said;
“After meeting with representatives from the FBU the SSP group have tabled an amendment that would make safety paramount in the transition to Integrated Risk Management Plans (IRMP’s).
“It is imperative that public safety is the basis of any changes in the way Scotland’s firefighters work and not cuts in expenditure.
“There is a fundamental problem in Chief Fire Officers making the assessment of the risk to life as these are the very same people who are also responsible for expenditure.
“There should be Scotland wide minimum standards set by an advisory body which includes FBU Scotland”

Full text of SSP amendment
Below is an amendment to motion S2M-456 in the name of Cathy Jamieson.
Add at end:
Safety is paramount and during the transitional period moving from "standards of cover" to Integrated Risk Management Plans (IRMP's), the IRMP's must be tested, validated and piloted to prove that they are leading to an improvement in public and fire-fighter safety prior to implementation.
Frances Curran

SSP leader Tommy Sheridan described the move as a “milestone” , and added: “There’s no longer a monopoly on independence. It may not be a good thing for the SNP, but it’s good for independence.”