In a debate at Westminster yesterday, the MP said that concerns about the loss of the UK's opt-out of the directive, which limits weekly working hours, had been raised with him by the Retained Firefighters Union. The issue, he said, was causing "grave concern".

Speaking in the debate secured by Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael, John Thurso said: "I have been accused this morning of scaremongering for tabling an early day motion, but I refute that suggestion because I did so to reflect both the views of many of my constituents who are concerned about the fire service that they will have, and the views of many retained firemen whom I know personally: they are friends of mine.

"I know exactly what those retained firemen do and the amount of training that they put in. I know how much they enjoy what they do and how much they like to be part of that service. The EDM was tabled to reflect their concern and that of the community."

He continued: "Over the years I have visited many fire stations which provide a vital emergency service and do a great job. I do not think that a single member from any party in the chamber would say anything other than that our fire services do a splendid job.

"I was most impressed by the training facility of the Highlands' fire brigade at Invergordon. I visited that facility and observed the professionalism with which the training was given to everybody who passed through, including some of the volunteer firemen from community response units; that was of great interest to me and underlined how well all those firemen operate.

"Honourable members have asked whether there is a problem. All the sources to whom I have spoken indicated that a real problem is brewing. However, there is some confusion about the extent of the problem.

"There are three years to go until the impact of what is being discussed at the European Union will come into force and it is much better to discuss the matter now and seek a proper solution than wait for three years to see how it pans out and deal with a problem when it arrives.

"That is why I am looking for some reassurance about how the Government are going to take this matter forward."

Touching on the health and safety implications of working over 48 hours a week, the limit the directive sets, John Thurso told the chamber: "I have never met a fireman who was not concerned about health and safety. Indeed, I have always been impressed by the way in which health and safety has been both inculcated in the fire service, how it has trained for it and the way in which it practises it. That is not the issue.

"The issue is that people want to volunteer to do something for their community, and they can do so in various ways. Some volunteer for charitable work. In a number of areas of charitable work individuals, not least the sea cadets and others, spend a considerable number of hours undertaking dangerous work on the sea, for example, and nobody says that they should not do it because they have already worked 40 or 44 hours in their main job – we would not think of doing so.

"We have to understand that people choose to volunteer for certain exercises, and limiting that where there is a good system for health and safety in place – with the consequences that that might deliver – is looking at this matter from the wrong direction."

The MP then went on to read a letter from a retained fireman in which it was stated that that the motivation for doing the work is a love of the job coupled with "a genuine desire to help make our communities as safe as possible within our remit".

The writer continued: "No-one asks us to do this difficult and demanding job, and the pay is relatively modest for what we commit to do."

John Thurso says that the Government should act now over the European Working Time Directive.

John Thurso called on the Government to do all it can to deal with what he described as an "unintended consequence" of the European legislation.

Meanwhile, North Labour MSPs have maintained there is no immediate threat to the retained fire units in Caithness and Sutherland.

David Stewart, Rhoda Grant and Peter Peacock have visited fire stations and been in discussions with the Fire Brigade Union and Brian Murray, the chief fire officer for the Highlands and Islands, and have also been in touch with Euro MEP Catherine Stihler and UK Government Scottish secretary Jim Murphy. As a result of all the contact and discussions they say they are "significantly reassured" there is no immediate threat to fire services in the North and do not believe there will be disruption to fire services in the longer term.

Concern has been expressed that the European Working Time Directive limiting the hours people could work to 48 in a week would have a catastrophic impact on the retained units in the North.

But Peter Peacock, speaking on behalf of his fellow Labour MSPs, said: "There was much speculation that there was an immediate threat to fire services in the North, but the more we have spoken to those involved, the less that proves to be the case.

"Even though the European Parliament voted to end a general opt-out of the EU Working Time Directive, the Council of Ministers, which shares decision-making on this important issue, remains opposed to that. The UK Government is one of a majority of EU governments which has the opt-out and remains firmly opposed to changing the current position.

"If the Council of Ministers maintain their objection through what will be a lengthy process of negotiation and conciliation, the whole proposal will fall.

"My colleague David Stewart MSP spoke to the Scottish secretary's office about this issue and it has made clear the UK Government intend to act in a way that will protect our fire services.

"We have made clear to the Fire Brigade Union and to the firemaster that we will ensure that everyone in the UK Government and the EU who need to know about the unique circumstances of the Highlands and Islands will know about them.

"Keeping the excellent services of our retained firefighters is vital to meet our distinct needs. We have also made clear we will seek to meet the responsible EU commissioner to leave no-one in any doubt about our distinct needs."

He continued: "If at any time in the future worthwhile change to the directive is going to take place, our objective is to ensure that any such change will fully accommodate the needs of emergency services in our area.

"Everyone we have spoken to, from local fire officers to UK cabinet ministers, agree that sense needs to prevail and we can retain our excellent fire services to provide the protection we all enjoy."

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