LONDON, November 26 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - British Army tanks are being prepared for a possible desert war against Iraq, Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon told the House of Commons late on Monday, November 25.

He spoke as the government faced a challenge by more than 30 Labor lawmakers who demanded a Commons vote before British forces were involved in any military action against Iraq, reported the Telegraph newspaper on Tuesday, November 26.

Hoon signaled that the pace of preparations for a possible military action was being intensified.

The Army's field hospitals, ambulances, temporary accommodation which can be deployed overseas and the troops' secure communications were also being upgraded, he added.

An exercise last year in Oman showed that the Challenger 2 battle tank was unprepared for desert warfare.

Its filters clogged with sand and dust, and half the tanks were stranded within four hours.

Hoon said a contract to "desertize" the tanks had now been let.

He refused to tell legislators when the work would be completed because that would give an indication to Iraq about the timing of any possible military action.

Hoon confirmed that the Ministry of Defense was making contingency plans for the call-up of reserve forces.

Discussions were being held on how many might be needed but none had been called up.

However, "in due course" it might become necessary to sound out reserve units or individual reservists and their employers about availability for operations in advance of a formal call-out.

Hoon said no decision had been taken on committing British forces to any U.S.-led military action in Iraq.

But he confirmed that discussions were under way with the United States on the contribution Britain could make.

Earlier, Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, distanced Britain from America's hard line on Iraq when he said he would push for a second United Nations resolution before launching a military campaign.

The announcement put him at odds with hawks in the White House who believe that the existing resolution approved unanimously by the U.N. Security Council provides sufficient cover in the event of breaches of its terms by Iraq.

In a further move aimed at reassuring Labor MPs opposed to a war on Iraq, Straw agreed that the Commons should be allowed a vote on British participation in any military engagement, provided this did not endanger lives or rob the military operation of the element of surprise.

Straw's twofold reassurance came amid signs of nervousness in the Foreign Office about rushing headlong into war at the first opportunity and under pressure from America.

The assurance failed to satisfy hard-line Labor critics of military action against Iraq.

Thirty-two Labor lawmakers lined up with Liberal Democrats to demand a vote prior to British forces being involved in any military action against Iraq.