OVER the weekend, Digby Jones of the CBI recommended that Tony Blair should not give in to the firefighters.

The knock-on effect of doing so would destroy the nation's economy.

John Edmunds of the TUC, on the other hand, said their claim was not unreasonable, as firefighters did a special job. But then so do a lot of other people and with modern working practices. Special job it may be, but it is also a very desirable job, otherwise why would there be 40 applicants eagerly awaiting to fill the boots of each and every single firefighter?

Does this situation not give the Government an option -- dismiss them all? It may be risky and unreasonable, but surely far less a risk and no more unreasonable than risking innocent lives and the nation's economy for a pay rise, and a seemingly selfish and unrealistic one at that, something that retained firefighters are committed not to do.

Dismiss them and train up a new, conscientious and committed fire service, with modern working practices and with a pay structure that the public and the economy will support; a service that will serve the nation for the rest of this century and beyond, one we can be truly proud of and worth every penny.

I would much prefer not to be credited with this interpretation of the facts, otherwise I might be at risk. But with innocent lives and the economy at risk, it surely deserves to be a matter for public debate.

Allan Ramsay

Ashcombe Drive

Radcliffe