Jackson, Stewart

That this House notes with regret the vote by the European Parliament on 17 December 2008 in favour of removing the UK's Working Time Directive opt-out; recognises the detrimental effect that the removal of the opt-out will have on retained firefighters; recognises that the 14,166 retained firefighters in England, approximately 30 per cent. of all firefighters, are a crucial supplement to the full-time force; further notes the opinion of the Chief Fire Officers' Association that the Fire Service could not function effectively without the retained duty system; further recognises that appropriate management in the Fire Service has ensured that retained firefighters do not work excessive hours with any negative impact on their health, safety and welfare; and further notes with concern the consequences the removal of the opt-out will have on emergency fire cover across most of the UK, as well as on the opportunities available to those who choose to serve their communities as retained firefighters.