The executive will look at the current brigade structure

The parliament was told of the decision by Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson.

Scotland has eight brigades, but Ms Jamieson told MSPs a rethink had been prompted by moves in England by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to reduce England's 47 brigades to nine regional bodies.

A reduction was ruled out in Scotland in 1998 and in a policy paper, but Ms Jamieson said the Westminster move highlighted the need "to examine again whether or not this position is sustainable".

"We are actively seeking respondents' views on the best structure for the service and we will be interested in any opinions or suggestions offered," said Ms Jamieson.

(There is) suspicion that the real agenda is cost cutting that will lead to cuts in service - fewer fire stations, fewer firefighters and fewer fire engines Nicola Sturgeon SNP justice spokeswoman

And she insisted this did not necessarily mean Scotland would follow the English route.

"I have no fixed view on how we should take that forward," she said.

But the move was attacked by Scottish National Party (SNP) justice spokeswoman Nicola Sturgeon, who demanded: "Why?

"Not, it would seem, because it might be right for Scotland but simply because there has been a reduction in England. That's not a good enough reason."

The justice minister disclosed the move when she opened a Holyrood debate on executive proposals to replace 56-year-old legislation on the fire service with a fire and rescue services bill to be brought before Holyrood next year.

This would lead to a national framework for fire and rescue services, put more emphasis on fire prevention, set core duties on a statutory footing and reform workplace fire precaution rules.

'Open dialogue'

Ms Jamieson said she wanted "an open and constructive dialogue" on the executive's proposals and there would be road show meetings with each fire authority and other interested groups.

But Ms Sturgeon called on the executive to act to repair the damage done by the lengthy firefighters' dispute.

"I think it's incumbent on the government now to take the lead in repairing that damage by stating clearly that pay and conditions will always be a matter of negotiation, not imposition," she said.

The SNP justice spokeswoman went on to welcome "the general thrust" of the consultation document.

It seems to us that a no strike agreement for the future is an essential part of a modernised fire service for Scotland Annabel Goldie Tory justice spokeswoman

Saying the job of the firefighter had changed "dramatically" over the past 50 years, she said: "It is right that all of these duties are recognised and given statutory underpinning."

But she went on to say that while some proposals in the consultation paper were welcome, others caused "suspicion and concern".

"Suspicion that the real agenda is cost cutting that will lead to cuts in service - fewer fire stations, fewer firefighters and fewer fire engines," said Ms Sturgeon.

"And concern that it is public safety that will be compromised as a result."

For the Tories, Annabel Goldie appealed for the consultation exercise to take place without "stridency or posturing or prejudice".

"At first sight, the proposals do seem to offer a constructive way forward," she told MSPs.

But Ms Goldie said the proposals still gave too much scope for ministerial "interference" and were heavily flavoured with "centralised control".

And she went on to call for a no-strike agreement in the fire service, as an essential service like the armed forces.