DURING the firefighters' strike I remember the Government dismissing claims by the Fire Brigades Union that it was were planning to endanger public safety by cutting services - and calling the FBU all sorts of names for daring to make the suggestion.

Now we learn of proposals to redeploy firefighters from North Yorkshire stations for the sake of "efficiency" and so risk delay in response times ('Union fear at fire cuts', June 15).

Not for the first time it turns out the unions were telling the truth, while the Government engaged in spin. The FBU deserves our support in opposing these cuts - for all our sakes.

Ben Drake,

Danum Road,

Fulford,

York.

Updated: 11:03 Friday, June 17, 2005