The Visitors' Gallery, formally known as the Strangers' Gallery, is set aside for members of the public at the

British House of Commons The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the upper house, the House of Lords, it meets in the Palace of Westminster in London, England. The House of Commons is an elected body consisting of 650 mem ...

, and is intended for both invited and uninvited members of the public to watch the proceedings of the House. A similar gallery exists in the House of Lords. Members of the public may obtain tickets from their Member of Parliament. It is possible to queue outside

St Stephen's Tower The Palace of Westminster serves as the meeting place for both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the two houses of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Informally known as the Houses of Parliament, the Palace lies on the north bank ...

and be admitted to the gallery without booking, especially on Fridays, however during popular debates it will be nearly impossible to obtain a place without booking. The name refers to the traditional use of the term ''

strangers A stranger is a person who is unknown to another person or group. Because of this unknown status, a stranger may be perceived as a threat until their identity (social science), identity and Character structure, character can be ascertained. Differ ...

'' to refer to those present in Parliament that are neither members nor staff. The gallery of the House of Commons is located on a level above the floor of the Commons chamber and looks down on it. There is a glass screen at the front of the gallery to prevent the throwing of objects into the chamber. The glass screen was installed in April 2004 at the cost of £600,000. Other parliaments throughout the Commonwealth have similar facilities, which are known by the same terms.

References

External links

Visits to the Gallery of the House of Commons
House of Commons of the United Kingdom {{UK-gov-stub

See also

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External links