What are the houses of british parliament

Houses of Parliament

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Houses of Parliament, also called Palace of Westminster, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the seat of the bicameral Parliament, including the House of Commons and the House of Lords. It is located on the left bank of the River Thames in the borough of Westminster, London.

A royal palace was said to have existed at the site under the Danish king of England Canute. The building, however, spoken of by William Fitzstephen as an “incomparable structure,” was built for Edward the Confessor in the 11th century and enlarged by William I (the Conqueror). In 1512 the palace suffered greatly from fire and thereafter ceased to be used as a royal residence. St. Stephen’s Chapel was used by 1550 for the meetings of the House of Commons, held previously in the chapter house of Westminster Abbey; the Lords used another apartment of the palace. A fire in 1834 destroyed the whole palace except the historic Westminster Hall, the Jewel Tower, the cloisters, and the crypt of St. Stephen’s Chapel.

Sir Charles Barry, assisted by A.W.N. Pugin, designed the present buildings in the Gothic Revival style. Construction was begun in 1837, the cornerstone was laid in 1840, and work was finished in 1860. The Commons Chamber was burned out in one of the numerous air raids that targeted London during World War II, but it was restored and reopened in 1950. The House of Lords is an ornate chamber 97 feet (29.5 metres) in length; the Commons is 70 feet (21 metres) long. The southwestern Victoria Tower is 336 feet (102 metres) high. Elizabeth Tower (formerly St. Stephen’s Tower), about 320 feet (97.5 metres) in height, contains the famous tower clock Big Ben. Along with Westminster Abbey and St. Margaret’s Church, the Houses of Parliament were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Kathleen Sheetz.

Houses of Parliament & Big Ben

Do you think you could make decisions that shape a whole nation?

A visit to the Houses of Parliament, and the very famous and immediately recognisable clock tower standing alongside it, is the place to go to see how this happens in the UK.

Located in the Palace of Westminster, the home of the UK’s government is one of London’s most recognisable landmarks and stands directly on the bank of the river Thames.

What Are The Houses of Parliament?

The Houses of Parliament are the two houses that make up the UK parliamentary system, namely the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

This is called a bicameral parliament where each house keeps the other in check and this allows laws to be made, debates to be had, allocation of funding and taxes and ensure the workings of the government are monitored.

The Houses are based in the Palace of Westminster which is the recognisable building that people know and part of which is the very famous tower that people refer to as ‘Big Ben’.

A Brief History of The Houses of Parliament

There have been buildings of significance on the site of the Palace of Westminster since the 8th century when there was a Saxon church in situ. This was known as the West Minster (or ‘West Monastery’) where the current name was derived.

In the 10th Century this was changed into a Benedictine Monastery and then in 1016 a Royal residence was built by the Danish, Norwegian and English King, Canute (Cnut).

In 1097, Westminster Hall was built by King William II, the son of William the Conqueror, which is one of the few early features that is still present today.

Over the next few hundred years there was a gradual move of financial aspects by the Monarchy from Winchester to Westminster with both the Treasury and the Exchequer moving sites. There was gradual development of the Palace by subsequent monarchs with the additions of other parts of the building. It was first recorded that Parliament was opened here in 1259 in the Painted Chamber (the King’s private apartment).

After a fire in the Palace of Whitehall, Henry VIII moved Parliament to it’s permanent home at the Palace of Westminster in 1512.

In 1605 the infamous Guy Fawkes tried, and failed, to blow up the Houses of Parliament in protest of laws against Catholicism. This became known as the Gunpowder Plot. Guy Fawkes was tried, convicted of treason, and sentenced to death in Old Palace Yard within the grounds of the Palace of Westminster.

The rebuilding of the Palace following this devastation led to the building that we now see today. A competition was held to design a new building and this was won by Christopher Barry, helped by Augustus Pugin. The new building was built in a perpendicular Gothic style and the building work started in 1840 and finished in the 1870s.

During World War II the Palace was damaged in fourteen different air raids which caused considerable damage to the building, with the House of Commons chamber being completely destroyed in May 1941.

The Palace of Westminster today is classed as a Grade I listed building and also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Key Features

The modern Palace of Westminster building is nearly 300metres long and covers 8 acres along with a surrounding 4 acres of gardens and lawns.

There are approximately 1100 rooms within the Palace, connected by around 4.8km of passageways.

Original Features

Since the fire in 1834 there are only a few of the medieval parts of the Palace still remaining. These are:

After the fire in 1834 and the subsequent rebuilding of the Palace of Westminster, there are many other parts of the building worthy of note;

The Elizabeth Tower (aka Big Ben)

The tower at the north of the Palace is often referred to as Big Ben, and even previously as St Stephen’s tower before the official changing of it’s name in 2012. The tower is over 96 metres high with 334 steps to reach the top.

There are five bells in the tower with the largest being called Big Ben weighing in at 13.7 tonnes whilst the other four smaller bells range from 1.1 tonnes to 4 tonnes. Big Ben chimes on the hour, every hour and the four smaller quarter bells sound every 15 minutes.

House of Lords Chamber

A peculiar feature is the presence of the Woolsack which is nowadays stuffed with wool from all over the Commonwealth and this is the seat of the Lord Speaker!

House of Commons Chamber

Much less lavish than the House of Lords with the colour scheme based on green. The benches where the Members sit are split into two sides, facing each other with the Speaker’s chair between the sets of benches at one end of the chamber under the public gallery.

Robing Room

Prior to the Queen entering the House of Lords, she dons her ceremonial state robes and the Imperial State Crown. Within the decorative room there is the 19th century Chair of State for her use should she wish to have a rest prior to entering the house!

Central Lobby

This is the crossroads of the house where members from both houses can meet. Above the lobby is Central Tower and the lobby itself forms a tall octagon with a tiled floor and arches depicting the patron saints of the four constituent countries of the UK.

Fun Facts About The Houses of Parliament

Houses of Parliament Visitor Information

The Houses of Parliament is open to visitors and there are several different tour options available.

Audio Tours

Guided Tour

Family Guided Tour

Tour Along With Afternoon Tea

Tactile Tours For The Blind And Partially Sighted

Private Guided Tours

Royalty and Splendour Group Tours

Contemporary Portraiture Group Tours

Big Ben and Elizabeth Tower Tours

How To Book Houses of Parliament Tours

To book tickets for the Houses of Parliament audio tours, Guided tours, Family guided tours, Tours with Afternoon Tea and the LGBT history tours call +44(0)20 7219 4114 or visit the ticket office Mon-Fri 10am-4pm (or 8.45am to 4.45pm on tour days) and Saturdays 8.45am to 4.45pm.

The ticket office is located in front of Portcullis House on Victoria Embankment, SW1A 2LW.

Tactile Tours, Private Guided tours, Royalty and Splendour group tours and Contemporary portraiture group tours can be booked via the above telephone number or by email on [email protected]

Disabled Provision and Access to the Houses of Parliament

Debates And Question Time Within The House

The Houses of Parliament is the working seat of government in the United Kingdom, and it is possible for visitors to view certain events live, in person.

Attending Debates

Prime Minister’s Question Time

Ministerial Question Time

General visiting information

Location

The Houses of Parliament are situated on the north bank (where Westminster bridge connects to the north shore) of the River Thames located in the City of Westminster in central London, UK.

Westminster Abbey is to the west of the House while St Thomas’ hospital sits across the river to the east. Abingdon Street runs along the west side of the buildings and Westminster Bridge road to the north.

How To Get There

The Houses of Parliament can be accessed in a number of ways due to its central location.

Where To Stay

Due to the location of the Houses of Parliament there are numerous options for accommodation in the central London vicinity. From hostels and budget hotel options all the way through to five star luxury, there are many places to stay.

Other Things To Do Nearby

Central London, by it’s nature as a capital city, has many attractions to see and things to do. Just a few of the many options available in the vicinity of the Houses of Parliament are:

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the two Houses of Parliament in the UK?

The two houses of the UK Houses of Parliament are the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Who owns the Houses of Parliament?

There seems to be some confusion as to who exactly owns the Houses of Parliament but essentially the land that the Palace of Westminster is on (the ‘freehold’) belongs to the Crown (i.e. the Queen) but she gave control, use and occupation of the buildings to the Houses of Parliament themselves in 1965.

Can you go into the Houses of Parliament?

Yes, you are able to go into the Houses of Parliament. There are a number of different tours available from individual audio tours to private guided tours. Also visitors are able to see debates and questions to ministers within the chambers themselves when Parliament is in session.

What happens if you die in the Houses of Parliament?

How old are the Houses of Parliament?

The Houses of Parliament as individual Houses of representatives of Parliament were formed in the 14th century, over 700 hundred years ago. Some form of building (from a church to a Royal residence to Parliament’s home) has been on the site for over 900 hundred years however the current houses were moved to the Palace of Westminster as their permanent home in 1512.

Why is the Queen not allowed in the House of Commons?

The Queen is not permitted to enter the House of Commons and in fact no Monarch has entered there since 1642. This is to illustrate and cement the independence of Parliament from the Crown and when the Queen opens Parliament, she gives her speech from the House of Lords and sends for the representatives from the House of Commons to come and listen.

Why is Big Ben called Big Ben?

There is thought that the bell called Big Ben was nick-named as such in the 19th century after a Welsh civil engineer Sir Benjamin Hall. Sir Hall was the Commissioner of Works overseeing the renovation of the Houses of Parliament and the installation of the bell itself. The alternative theory is that the bell is named after Benjamin Caunt who was a 19th century heavyweight bare-knuckle boxing champion whose nickname was ‘Big Ben’.

How many rooms are in the Houses of Parliament?

There are over 1100 rooms contained within the Palace of Westminster where the Houses of Parliament reside.

How many times does Big Ben chime a day?

The bell named Big Ben chimes on the hour, every hour so therefore 24 times a day. There are four smaller quarter bells within the tower that sound every 15 minutes.

How loud is Big Ben?

The bell Big Ben is very loud indeed! It has been measured at 118 decibels (to compare, jet planes taking off register at 120 decibels) and can cause damage to hearing.

How tall is Big Ben?

The bell of Big Ben is 2.29m tall with a diameter of 2.74m. However the name Big Ben is also sometimes used to refer to the clock tower (The Elizabeth Tower) and this is 96 metres tall.

14 Fun Facts About the Houses of Parliament

The Houses of Parliament are without doubt one of the most famous spots in London, as well as the seat of the UK government. Yet while many people are familiar with the buildings which comprise parliament, only a few know much about the area’s history and traditions.

Here’s a quick look at a few houses of parliament fun facts, which should allow you to show off your local knowledge when next staying in the city!

Houses of Parliament Facts

The Houses of Parliament have another name

Whilst most people know this location as the Houses of Parliament, it has another name, and one which is actually far older than its current incarnation.

Once known better as the Palace of Westminster after it was built during the 11 th century, the main building here was once a large royal palace. This original structure was badly damaged by a fire in 1512, and then completely destroyed by a subsequent fire in 1834. After this enduring damage, it was replaced with a more robust structure.

Medieval elements remain

Despite being largely rebuilt, there are a few parts of the Houses of Parliament which retain their medieval credentials. These include Westminster Hall, the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft, the Jewel Tower and the Cloisters of St Stephen’s all of which are now the oldest parts of the structure.

Designed after a competition

The new design of the Houses of Parliament was created by architect Charles Barry, who built it in a Gothic Revival style. This was based largely on the English Gothic style of prior centuries, and allowed Barry to retain and incorporate those areas which had survived the fire. The new palace was much larger than its original building, helping to create an imposing sight for guests at the Montcalm Chiswell Street.

Owned by the monarch

The Houses of Parliament are the official meeting place for parliament, but as the UK is a constitutional monarchy, they are technically owned by the reigning monarch. During ceremonial events, the venue also retains its original purpose as a royal residence, and the Queen plays a key role in events such as the State Opening of Parliament – traditions which stretch back many centuries.

Designed to respect traditions

While the Palace of Westminster is now home to modern government, it is also known for respecting traditions which stretch back many centuries. In the earliest days of parliament, figures attending would have brought their swords – as such, the venue still provides a place to hang these swords.

In addition, the floor in many of the rooms includes marking which are each approximately ‘two sword lengths’ away from one another; it is reputed this was intended to stop fights breaking out in the building.

Used for events

One of the largest rooms in the Houses of Parliament, the Royal Gallery is used for a number of key diplomatic events. This could include everything from dinners to ceremonies and special receptions.

Though this is not the case now, at one point in history it was also used to host trials.

Noted for its famous clock

One of the most important parts of the Houses of Parliament is its large clock, known as Big Ben. The clock is located in the Elizabeth Click Tower, and remains amongst London’s most famous sights – visible not only as a key part of the city skyline, but commonly used in memorabilia and mementos guests at a boutique hotel in London take home with them.

Decorating is symbolic

The two most famous rooms in the building, the Lord’s Chamber (home to the House of Lords) and the Commons Chamber (home to members of Parliament) are decorated in a highly symbolic style. The Lord’s Chamber is the most decorated room, with ornate carvings and bright red colours. The Commons Chamber however is a little less lavish, with its furnishings sources from various Commonwealth countries.

However, the Lord Speaker in the House of Lords is seated on a sack of wool – intended to represent the British wool trade.

Beware of the stairs

The Houses of Parliament have many staircases – more than 100 of them, in fact, as well as around three miles of corridors to explore. A trip here often requires people to travel up and down these narrow staircases to get to essential parts of the building, including the House of Commons viewing gallery.

Biggest medieval roof in England

Despite most of the medieval spaces being destroyed, the Hall of Westminster still has the largest medieval roof anywhere in England. Centuries ago, this is an area where England’s monarchs would have lived and worked. Today, it can be viewed by history-loving visitors to a boutique hotel in London.

Leisure services are available

While you might associate the Houses of Parliament only with government, it also offers a range of services like a lot of modern workplaces – mainly designed to help MPs feel more at home. These include an active hair salon, a shooting range and a gym.

Animals are banned

As you might expect from a building with a purpose as serious as the Houses of Parliament, there is a strict ban on all animals from entering the premises (with the exception of Guide Dogs). However, this certainly didn’t stop a large population of mice from once taking up residence, and this reportedly remains a problem to this day.

Site of The Gunpowder Plot

It’s far from a fun point in British history, but the Houses of Parliament were the staging ground for the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. This plot was a failed attempt to assassinate King James I, and represents a gruesome and bloody part of the country’s heritage. Key figures involved in the plot included Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes.

The Houses of Parliament cover a huge distance

The structure which was developed to replace the original Palace of Westminster is noted for its large scale, with the buildings spanning around eight acres in total.

In addition, the Houses of Parliament also have more than 1000 rooms – helping to create a truly striking addition to London’s architectural sights. In addition, the area serves its vital administrative and legislative purpose, allowing elected officials to discuss the matters which concern Britain’s citizens, host debates and organise new legislature.

FAQs

How old are the Houses of Parliament?

The construction of 1,100 rooms houses of parliament was completed in 1870. However, the building required constant maintenance.

2. How many seats are there in Parliament?

The Commons is an elected body consisting of 650 members known as members of Parliament (MPs). Members are elected to represent constituencies by the first-past-the-post system and hold their seats until Parliament is dissolved. Read more

3. How old are the Houses of Parliament?

The current building, designed by architects Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin was started after the fire destroyed the old Palace of Westminster in 1834. The construction was completed by 1870.

4. How big are the Houses of Parliament?

The measurements of the houses are as follows:

What are the houses of british parliament

Project Britain

British Life and Culture

by Mandy Barrow

We live in a democratic country, which means we all have a say in how the country is run. Parliament represents the people. It is where we send our chosen representatives to represent our views in the House of Commons.

What is Parliament?

Parliament is where politicians (MPs) meet to decide laws and make decisions for the United Kingdom. It is not the same as the Government (which runs the country). One of the jobs Parliament does is to check that the Government is running the country properly.

What is the job of Parliament?

The main functions of Parliament are:В

Parliament is made up of three parts:

The Queen is the official Head of State. Britain has a constitutional monarchy where the Queen only rules symbolically; in reality, power belongs to Parliament. So, although the Queen ‘opens’ Parliament each year and laws are passed in her name, the Queen herself plays no part in determining decisions made in Parliament.

The Queen has the final say on whether a bill becomes law.
The last Monarch to reject a law that was wanted by both Houses of Parliament was Queen Anne. She died in 1715.

The House of Lords

The House of Lords is made up of people who have inherited family titles and those who have been given titles because of their outstanding work in one field or another. There are 675 members of the Lords.

Who sits in the House of Lords?

A person who sits in the House of Lords is a peer

What is the job of the peers in the House of Lords?

The main job of the House of Lords is to ‘double check’ new laws to make sure they are fair and will work.

The House of Commons

Who sits in the House of Commons?

A person who sits in the House of Commons is called a Member of Parliament (MP).

The House of Commons has 650 members (MPs) who have been elected by local residents to represent an area of the country in Parliament.

Each MP represents one of 650 constituencies (areas) in the UK and is a member of a political party, such as New Labour or the Conservative party.

What happens in the House of Commons?

The Commons is the most important place for discussing policies and making laws.

Find out more about the House of Commons by visiting House of Commons Chamber

Interesting Fact
No King or Queen has entered the House of Commons since 1642, when Charles l stormed in with his soldiers and tried to arrest five members of Parliament who were there.

Mandy is the creator of the Woodlands Resources section of the Woodlands Junior website.В
The two websitesВ projectbritain.comВ andВ primaryhomeworkhelp.co.ukВ are the new homes for the Woodlands Resources.

Mandy left Woodlands in 2003 to work in Kent schools as an ICT Consulatant.В
She now teaches computers atВ The Granville SchoolВ andВ St. John’s Primary SchoolВ in SevenoaksВ Kent.

How British Parliament Works
(Как работает британский парламент)

1. Прочитайте и переведите текст, составьте аннотацию, подготовьте устное сообщение.

The Houses of Parliament

Parliament, Britain’s legislature, is made up of the House of Commons, the House of Lords and the Queen in her constitutional role. They meet together only on occasions of symbolic importance such as the state opening of parliament, when the Commons are summoned by the Queen to the House of Lords. The agreement of all three elements is normally required for legislation, but that of the Queen is given as a matter of course to Bills sent to her.

Parliament can legislate for Britain as a whole, or for any part of the country. It can also legislate for the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, which are Crown dependencies and not part of Britain. They have local legislatures which make laws on the island affairs.

As there are no legal restraints imposed by a written constitution, Parliament may legislate as it pleases, subject to Britain’s obligations as a member of the European Union. It can make or change any law; and can overturn established conventions or turn them into law. It can even prolong its own life beyond the normal period without consulting the electorate. In practice, however, Parliament does not assert its supremacy in this way. Its members bear in mind the common law and normally act in accordance with precedent. The validity of an Act of Parliament, once passed, cannot be disputed in the law courts. The House of Commons is directly responsible to the electorate, and in this century the House of Lords has recognized the supremacy of the elected chamber. The system of party government helps to ensure that Parliament legislates with its responsibility to the electorate in mind.

The Functions of Parliament

The main functions of Parliament are:

• to provide, by voting for taxation, the means of carrying on the work of the government;

• to scrutinize government policy and administration, including proposals for expenditure; and

• to debate the major issues of the day.

In carrying out these functions Parliament helps to bring the relevant facts and issues before the electorate. By custom, Parliament is also informed before all important international treaties and agreements are ratified. The making of treaties is, however, a royal prerogative exercised on the advice of the Government and is not subject to parliamentary approval.

The Meeting of Parliament

A Parliament has a maximum duration of five years, but in practice general elections are usually held before the end of this term. The maximum life has been prolonged by legislation in rare circumstances such as the two world wars. Parliament is dissolved and writs for a general election are ordered by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Public Bills which have not been passed by the end of the session are lost.

The House of Lords

The House of Lords consists of:

• all hereditary peers and peeresses of England, Scotland, Great Britain and the United Kingdom;

• life peers created to assist the House in its judicial duties (Lords of Appeal or ‘law lords’);

• all other life peers; and

• the Archbiships of Canterbury and York, the Bishops of London, Durham and Winchester, and the 21 senior bishops of the Church of England.

Hereditary peerages carry a right to sit in the House provided holders establish their claim and are aged 21 years or over. However, anyone succeeding to a peerage many, within 12 months of succession, disclaim that peerage for his or her lifetime. Disclaimants lose their right to sit in the House but gain the right to vote and stand as candidates at parliamentary elections. Peerages, both hereditary and life, are created by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister. They are usually granted in recognition of service in politics or other walks of life or because one of the political parties wishes to have the recipient in the House of Lords. The House also provides a place in Parliament for people who offer useful advice, but do not wish to be involved in party politics. In addition, senior judges are given life peerages as Lords of Appeal.

The House is presided over by the Lord Chancellor, who is ex-officio Speaker of the House.

The House of Commons

The House of Commons consists of 651 Members of Parliament (MPs) directly elected by voters in each of Britain’s 651 parliamentary constituencies. At present there are 62 women, three Asian and three black MPs. Of the 651 seats, 524 are for England, 38 for Wales, 72 for Scotland and 17 for Northern Ireland.

Officers of the House of Commons

The chief officer of the House of Commons is the Speaker, elected by MPs to preside over the House. Other officers include the three Deputy Speakers who are elected by the House on the nomination of the Government but are drawn from the Opposition as well as the government party. They, like the Speaker, neither speak nor vote other than in their official capacity.

Parliamentary Procedure

Parliamentary procedure is based on custom and precedent. The system of debate is similar in both Houses. Every subject starts off as a proposal or ‘motion’ by a member. After debate, the Speaker or Chairman ‘puts the question’ whether to agree with the motion or not. The question may be decided without voting, or by a simple majority vote. The main difference of procedure between the two Houses is that the Speaker or Chairman in the Lords has no powers of order; instead such matters are decided by the general feeling of the House.

In the Commons the Speaker has full authority to enforce the rules of the House and must guard against the abuse of procedure and potect minority rights. The Speaker has discretion on whether to allow a motion to end discussion so that a matter may be put to the vote and has powers to put a stop to irrelevance and repetition in debate, and to save time in other ways. In cases of serious disorder the Speaker can adjourn or suspend the sitting. The Speaker can order members who have broken the rules of behavior of the House to leave the Chamber or can initiate their suspension for a period of days.

The Speaker supervises voting in the Commons and announces the final results. In a tied vote the Speaker gives a casting vote, without expressing an opinion on the merits of the question. The voting procedure in the House of Lords is broadly similar, although the Lord Chancellor does not have a casting vote.

MPs’ Financial Interest

The Commons has a public register of MPs’ financial interests. Members with financial interest in a debate in the House mut declare it when speaking. If the interest is direct, immediate and personal, the MP cannot vote on the issue. In other proceedings of the House or in dealings with other members, ministers or civil servants, MPs must also disclose any relevant financial interest. There is no register of financial interests in the Lords, but Lords speaking in a debate in which they have a direct interest are expected to declare it.

Public Access to Parliamentary Proceedings

Proceedings of both Houses are normally public and visitors can watch the proceedings from the galleries of both chambers. The minutes and speeches are published daily in Hansard House of Commons and Hansard House of Lords the official report of debates. Each daily report also includes the answers to parliamentary questions put down for a written reply. The House of Commons also publishes a Weekly Information Bulletin which gives details about parliamentary affairs. Both Houses have information offices which prepare a variety of publications and answer enquiries from the public. And there is television and The Parliamentary Channel and, of course, government information on the web.

The records of the Lords from 1497 and the Commons from 1547, together with the parliamentary and political papers of a number of former members of both Houses, are available to the public through the House of Lords Record Office.

The proceedings of both Houses of Parliament may be broadcast on television and radio, either live or, more usually, in recorded or edited form. BBC Radio 4 is obligated to broadcast an impartial day-by-day account of proceedings when Parliament is in session. A weekly programme covers the proceedings of the select committees on departmental affairs. Many other television and national and local radio programs cover parliamentary affairs. Complete coverage is available on cable television. Also, most national and regional newspapers have parliamentary correspondents. Several national daily newspapers present a daily summary of the previous day’s proceedings.