John Prescott has branded planned strike action by firefighters "completely unnecessary and completely unjustified" and urged their union to "think again".

Strike dates

29- 31 October 2-4 November 6 November -14 November 22-30 November 4-12 December 16-24 December All start and end at 0900 GMT

The deputy prime minister said the union's demand for a 40% pay rise and its refusal to take part in an independent pay review was "simply indefensible".

Contingency plans were in place to ensure all 999 emergency calls would be answered on strike days, Mr Prescott assured MPs.

But, he added, "the risk of loss of life and property will be higher" as response times would be slower and the substitute Green Goddess fire engines were less effective than modern equipment.

'Constructive response'

In a House of Commons statement on Tuesday, Mr Prescott urged the Fire Brigades' Union (FBU) to call off strike action until an independent review of pay and conditions, ordered by the government, reported in December.

Mr Prescott attacked the union for refusing to take part in the review process.

A few frantic days of activity does not make up for a summer of neglect

David Davis, shadow deputy prime minister

And although he agreed there was a need for a new pay formula for firefighters, he stressed any rise above the 4% already offered must run alongside modernisation in working practices.

He gave this message to FBU leader Andy Gilchrist: "We have accepted that (need for a new formula) in principle so, for God's sake sit down and negotiate it like any trade union leader should."

Mr Prescott urged the public to take "sensible precautions" in their homes and for workplace managers to check that all existing fire safety provisions were in place and fully effective.

'Sitting on its hands'

He also categorically denied claims that he personally intervened in July to block a pay offer of 16% from the firefighters' employers.

David Davis, Mr Prescott's Conservative shadow, pressed for the review of firefighters' pay to speed up and accused ministers of dragging its feet over the dispute.

"A few frantic days of activity does not make up for a summer of neglect," said Mr Davis.

John Monks wants to bring the two sides together

He also suggested other unions were using safety concerns as "an excuse for what would otherwise be illegal secondary action".

It would be "unacceptable" if public transport and power stations were forced to halt operations, he said.

Liberal Democrat spokesman Don Foster said he was sympathetic to firefighters' needs but he urged them to negotiate through the promised review.

The FBU has said it does not trust the review to be truly independent.

Its leader, Andy Gilchrist, has accused ministers of trying to con the public that the country would be able to cope if the threatened walkouts went ahead.

TUC backing

Meanwhile, the TUC has backed the firefighters claim for a "very good" pay rise, although general secretary John Monks refused to express a view on the 40% claim.

Mr Monks was setting up a group to mediate between ministers and the FBU in an attempt to avert a strike.

Green Goddesses' efficacy has been questioned

He also called on Chancellor Gordon Brown to clarify suggestions in a newspaper interview that there would be no new cash to settle the dispute.

And he urged the government not to make soldiers cross fire station picket lines, arguing it would be "provocative" and would prolong any dispute.

The FBU's executive council meets on Wednesday to discuss its response to a 1979 TUC agreement supposedly requiring it to respond to emergency calls while on strike.

Strike details

Thirty-three Labour MPs have come out in support of the firefighters, backing their campaign demanding a "decent wage".

One of those MPs, Alan Simpson, said the public expected Tony Blair to bring both sides together for talks in the pay dispute.

Full-time firefighters are planning to begin the series of walkouts on 29 October. Strikes will last for up to eight days at a time, and are planned to take place over 36 days.

In the event of industrial action, the Army - backed by the Royal Navy and RAF - is on standby to provide cover with 827 Green Goddess fire engines.

They will be joined by 4,000 part-time firefighters with the Retained Firefighters Union (RFU), who have condemned the FBU's action.