ROGER WILLIAMS SUBMITS RETAINED FIRE SERVICES PETITON TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

5.28.01pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 5th Jun 2009

Roger Williams, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire and Liberal Democrat Shadow Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson, yesterday submitted a petition to the House of Commons on the issue of the UK opt-out from the European Working Time Directive and the retained fire fighter service.

Mr Williams said:

"Liberal Democrats have consistently, in the European Parliament, at Westminster and in the devolved parliaments and assemblies voted for the opt-out provisions to remain, so that vital services such as the Fire & Rescue Service can be sustained in rural areas

"67% of fire stations in Wales are wholly staffed by retained firefighters. Many fire stations manned by full-time staff require retained staff at nights and on weekends to keep them going.

"I welcome the Government having retained the opt-out and I would like to thank the people of Brecon and Radnorshire for supporting this petition in such large numbers."

NOTES:

In submitting the petition, Mr Williams said:

By leave of the House I beg to lay a petition regarding the UK opt out from the working time directive and the threat such a move would pose to the retained fire fighting system in the UK.

The petition has been collected by the residents of Brecon and Radnorshire and contains more than 1000 names.

The petition states:

To the House of Commons

The Petition of residents of Brecon and Radnorshire, and others,

Declares that the European Parliament's proposed abolition of the opt-out from the European Working Time Directive poses a threat to the retained fire fighter system in the United Kingdom; and further declares that the United Kingdom should maintain its right to opt out of the European Working Time Directive so that the retained fire fighters are able to continue with their commitment to the vitally important fire service.

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to do all in its power to preserve the right to opt out and to keep our rural fire stations open.

And the petitioners remain, etc.