Fuel crisis: Alex Salmond in call for ‘cool heads’ as fuel row heats up

FIRST Minister Alex Salmond has urged unions and bosses to resolve the dispute with fuel tanker drivers.

Mr Salmond also stressed the need for “cool heads” as both sides agreed to talks with conciliation service Acas.

He told MSPs yesterday: “I think more government preparation is what is required to promote calm and orderly behaviour in the population at large.”

The UK Government’s Cobra emergency committee met yesterday morning to discuss the issue, with Scottish finance secretary John Swinney taking part.

Mr Salmond disclosed that the finance secretary had joined the discussions as he spoke about the potential strike by tanker drivers at the start of First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood.

In light of Cabinet office minister Francis Maude’s much-criticised call for motorists to fill up jerrycans with fuel, Mr Salmond stressed: “I want to reinforce those who are calling for cool heads in this situation.

“I welcome the Acas talks that are taking place tomorrow. I would urge both sides to resolve the dispute, for which no strike dates have yet been called.

“The priority is surely preventing a strike, not issuing unwise advise about jerrycans.”

Mr Swinney also hosted a meeting of the Scottish Government’s resilience room yesterday, which deals with civil emergency in an effort to iron out contingency supplies for the emergency services in the event of a strike. The First Minister, minister for transport Keith Brown and minister for parliamentary business Bruce Crawford were also in attendance.

A government spokesman said afterwards: “Drivers are not currently involved in industrial action and any decision to strike will require seven clear days notice. It is therefore impossible for strike action to take place at the very earliest until after the Easter weekend.”

He added that industry was “very clear” that it is operating as normal, and their advice is that “drivers should carry on normal fuel purchasing arrangements”. He said: “The Scottish Government will continue to build on the substantial contingency arrangements already in place on the areas where we have responsibility including public transport, emergency services, education and agriculture.”