By Reuters, 04/21/99

For the latest coverage of the tragedy in Littleton, Colo., see our coverage in The Boston Globe's Boston.com. Wednesday's coverage -Rampage reconstruction -Families mourn victims -Colo. gun law debate -What went wrong? -False 'warnings' on AOL -Clinton speaks on massacre -World reactions Globe coverage -Need for prevention -TV coverage -'A suicide mission' Background -Map of Littleton -List of injured -Shooting chronology -Past school shootings -What was 'Trenchcoat Mafia'

LONDON - British Prime Minister Tony Blair Wednesday expressed his sympathy in the aftermath of the high school shooting in Littleton, Colo. which killed 15 people including two armed teen-age gunmen.

Blair told Parliament Britain empathized with the United States, particularly in light of the 1996 tragedy in Dunblane, Scotland which saw crazed gunman Thomas Hamilton kill 16 schoolchildren and their teacher before turning the gun on himself.

''Because of Dunblane, the events of Colorado will provoke very many special memories for some people and is bound to do so,'' said Blair, in answer to a parliamentary question.

''I would also very much agree with the sentiments President Clinton expressed last night, that it is important that we teach children properly in the classroom about these issues.''

After Dunblane, the public outcry led to a British ban on hand guns and the introduction of a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail for those who flout the law.

But Blair declined to pass judgment on whether the United States should do the same, saying it was a matter for them.

Blair later left for Washington. He is due to meet Clinton at the White House on Wednesday night to discuss the Kosovo conflict ahead of a NATO summit.