(1)The Secretary of State may issue guidance to negotiating bodies in connection with the negotiation of the conditions of service of employees of fire and rescue authorities.
(2)Negotiating bodies must have regard to any guidance issued under this section in negotiating the conditions of service of employees of fire and rescue authorities.
(3)In this section “negotiating body” means a negotiating body established under section 32 or any other body of persons which—
(a)includes both persons representing the interests of some or all fire and rescue authorities and persons representing the interests of some or all employees of fire and rescue authorities, and
(b)is constituted in accordance with what appear to the Secretary of State to be appropriate arrangements for the negotiation of the conditions of service of employees of fire and rescue authorities.