Scotland's leading politicians have met the prime minister to discuss next week's planned fire service strike.

Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell and First Minister Jack McConnell took part in the annual Joint Ministerial Committee.

It was also the first time Tony Blair had met Mr McConnell since questions were raised over Labour Party accounts in Scotland.

The Joint Ministerial Committee was set up after devolution to provide a link between London and the devolved administrations.

Fire crews have been urged to think again

Previously the committee has convened in Edinburgh and Cardiff.

Scottish National Party leader John Swinney has called on the UK Government to "step aside" and allow the FBU to resume negotiations with employers.

Mr Swinney was responding to newspaper reports that the employers wished to offer 16% but ministers intervened and imposed a pay and conditions review.

On Tuesday in Downing Street, the focus was on reform of public services and deciding what strategy to adopt should the fire service strike action, scheduled to begin on 29 October, go ahead.

The ministerial meeting came the day after Scotland's Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace took part, via a radio link, in a meeting of the Downing Street committee for national emergencies, known as Cobra.

Armed forces

He updated the committee on the situation in Scotland.

After the meeting, Mr Wallace called on firefighters to avoid a "damaging and dangerous strike".

And he admitted that emergency arrangements would fall well short of normal cover.

About 100 ageing "Green Goddess" fire engines will be deployed across Scotland, replacing more than 500 modern fire engines.

The 50 year-old vehicles will be manned by 1,800 armed forces personnel who will take the place of 4,588 full-time firefighters north of the Border.