MEMBERS of Parliament are to be asked how they feel about smoke getting in their eyes down at their local pub.

A free vote granted by the leadership of the Labour party will ensure a fierce Commons debate on Government proposals to ban smoking in public places but exclude pubs not serving food.

Many people, myself included, think it likely that the result will be a total ban a result which would please health campaigners and those non-smoking pub-goers who dislike sitting in a fug which pollutes their lungs and clothes.

But what will happen to those customers who enjoy a cigarette with their pint?

I suspect that many of Bolton's small "locals" will feel a severe economic chill once smokers are banned and some will close, depriving communities of a traditional meeting place.

That would be a pity, but maybe somebody will come up with an ingenious solution for those who choose not to give up their fags.

I visualise my smoking friends encased in large plastic bubbles with an attached pipe facilitating the expulsion of noxious fumes into the atmosphere outside.

They would not be able to hear anything around them and would find themselves wordlessly reduced to admiring their impressive new boots, say.

Or they would simply stay at home and light up on the patio with a can of ale nearby.

If I am honest I look forward to smoke-free pubs, but the libertarian in me feels slightly uneasy at the amount of coercion proposed.

For the moment, though, smokers and non-smokers can go down to the public house and discuss issues of the moment such as Gordon Brown's call for a "British Day".

There have been some unkind and unwarranted suggestions (April 1 is one of them) but I think it is a great idea and I look forward to the announcement when the decision is made.

The Royal British Legion is against any dilution of the message carried by Remembrance Day on November 11 and I agree entirely.

Instead, I would like to suggest that British Day should be on March 12 my birthday.

That would make me feel very special indeed and perhaps Gordon, when he becomes Prime Minister, will provide a flag pole for my garden.

I am proud to be British and would be delighted to show it in this way, particularly if it could be fitted with a CCTV camera designed to identify all the dog-walkers and litter louts who besmirch the neighbourhood.

Pavements throughout Harwood particularly in Hough Fold Way suffer from the indifference of selfish dog-owners who do not pick up the mess which is left as a hazard for walkers.

There is nothing wrong with taking pride in being a Briton, but perhaps there needs to be a special message for British Day a vow before the flag to be a good citizen.

Maybe the day will come when we are all individually tested and awarded marks out of 10 on our identity cards.