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The Government has ordered a review of the medical evidence on hearing loss among war pensioners. It follows a row earlier this year when the Tories introduced tighter rules. War Pensions Minister Baroness Hollis of Heigham announced a meeting of experts to look at the scientific basis of the current approach. Earlier this year, John Major's government provoked anger from welfare groups, who complained that the rule change had made it virtually impossible for ex-military personnel to qualify for a pension for hearing loss.

Hoteliers in Maastricht are demanding compensation for vacant rooms, because the Dutch government decided to take Tony Blair to the coastal town of Noordwijk for his first meeting with fellow European Union leaders. The switch in venue dented pride in the Dutch town which launched the single currency and the social chapter. It has also left a gaping, though short-lived, hole in Maastricht's tourist trade. The local authorities are also upset. They've just paid Ł13,000 for a magnificent new conference table to mark Mr Blair's visit.

The Prime Minister has disclosed he will not be ordering the removal of security gates and barriers in Downing Street. "Security measures at Downing Street are kept under constant review and our advice is at present they should remain," he said in a Commons written reply. They were installed when Baroness Thatcher was Prime Minister to counter the threat of IRA terrorism. Critics have complained about their daunting appearance and the restriction of access to Downing Street.

Michael Howard, one of the runners in the Conservative leadership race has once more vigorously defended his record while Home Secretary. Mr Howard speaking on BBC 1's Question Timeprogramme defended his decision to sack the head of the Prison Service Derek Lewis. When questioned about the knocks his leadership campaign has suffered due to the harsh criticisms from his former Prisons Minister Anne Widdecombe Mr Howard insisted it would not affect his chances of success.

The Government has rejected a Tory demand for a chance to debate the case of Labour's Mohammad Sarwar who is under investigation after allegations of bribing an election rival. The Commons Leader Ann Taylor turned down the request by the former minister Patrick Nicholls during exchanges on coming parliamentary business. The Scottish National Party has already demanded that the affair be referred to Sir Gordon Downey, Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

Wide-ranging ways of modernising parliamentary procedures to help MPs work more effectively have been outlined by Commons Leader Ann Taylor. In a short debate on the issue, Mrs Taylor said a modernising committee will be set up to study the workings of the House. She told MPs that after Labour's landslide election victory there were the best signs yet of a "serious intention" to update working practices.

The US President Bill Clinton is to visit Britain next week for his first head-to-head talks with Tony Blair since the General Election. During his visit next Thursday, he will hold extended talks with the Prime Minister. Both will be seeking to cement further what are regarded on both sides of the Atlantic as excellent relations.

Diana, Princess of Wales, 1961-1997

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