THERE appeared some hope last night that the firefighters' industrial action will not go ahead after all.

On the Government side there were conciliatory tones from the Prime Minister, who called for calm.

And on the Fire Brigades Union side there was evidence of moderation from its general secretary, who was reluctant to discuss issues with the media.

With the first planned strike less than a week away, time is running out for a settlement to be reached.

But it is to be hoped that both sides grasp this opportunity for a deal. Once industrial action is under way and battle lines are drawn, such opportunities will be few and far between.

There is scope for an amicable and satisfactory solution to be found.

The Government readily admits that the firefighters' case for a pay increase above the public sector norm is legitimate.

And the FBU is naturally reluctant to use the ultimate sanction of strike, which will put lives and property at risk.

From such a starting point, it is surely possible for negotiations to reach a compromise.

The review appears to be the only way forward. The onus is on the Government to convince the FBU that the review will be genuinely independent.

The onus on the FBU, after having railed against it for so long, is to co-operate with the review without such a concession looking like a climbdown.

In practice, the FBU has little alternative.

In any dispute with the Government, the FBU will have to rely heavily on the sympathy, support and respect firefighters have traditionally received from the general public.

The overwhelmingly majority of people may support a claim for a rise above the four per cent package currently on the table. But fewer people will support the FBU's claim for a 40 per cent rise. And even fewer will support its decision to go on strike in pursuit of a 40 per cent claim.

The FBU's reluctance, thus far, to embrace the principles of the review is puzzling. We hope, even at the late stage in proceedings, it can recognise the error of its ways.