globe-trotting trip to Europe and the US.

The Premier is just back from a trip to the UK for introductory talks with Foreign Office chiefs -- her first visit to London as Government head.

She and Finance Minister Eugene Cox also paid a flying visit to Paris for talks with top figures from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development -- currently drawing up a hitlist of dodgy offshore jurisdictions.

Earlier, Ms Smith and Mr. Cox attended a major international economic forum in Davos, Switzerland.

And she is expected to deliver a round-up of international developments in a statement to the House of Assembly this morning.

Ms Smith -- who returned to Bermuda this week -- could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

Otherwise, the House has a thin agenda for the day's Parliamentary proceedings.

Government Whip Ottiwell Simmons said: "It will be a pretty scanty day.

"The Premier might just make a statement -- I haven't been informed so far about that, but I would think that would be the case.'' He added: "There may be other statements from Ministers, I don't know at this point.'' But he said: "I do know that Ministers have been extremely busy preparing for their role in the Budget Debate, which is one of the difficulties we're having right now.'' There are only two items on the order paper, with the first being the final rubber-stamp of a Bill designed to protect the Island's air quality.

The Clean Air Amendment Bill will make it mandatory for car body shops with paint-spraying equipment, dry cleaners and some other businesses to get a licence before operating.

MPs heard that could mean the creation of special, ventilated spraying booths and the use of extractor equipment in some cases.

Some MPs expressed fears that the cost of doing business would shoot up -- which could hurt small enterprise.

The UBP's Allan Marshall asked Government to consider making imported anti-pollution equipment duty-free.

But Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson said other Ministries could be in a position to assist small businesses in cleaning up their acts.

A motion by UBP backbencher Trevor Moniz asking for implementation of a report on cutting pollution -- especially vehicle pollution -- to be pushed up a gear is also on the order paper.

Story: Page 6 Talks: Premier Jennifer Smith Graphic file name: PREMIER6