Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP

Brief History of Parliament

The Palace of Westminster is one of Britain's best known landmarks. Parliament has occupied its current site since 1099, the year Westminster Hall was built. The present House of Commons chamber was rebuilt in 1948 after the building was severely damaged in a bombing raid during the Second World War.

Click here to learn more about the history of the House of Commons.

How Laws Are Made

Bills go through 5 stages before they become law:
1st Reading, 2nd Reading, Committee Stage, Report Stage, 3rd Reading. There then follows similar stages in the House of Lords.

Click here to learn more.

Over view of Parliament

Early Day Motions
Private Members Bill
Select committees

Click here to read an overview of the Parliament. You can also find out more about the work of Parliament at http://www.parliament.uk/

Tours of Parliament

If you are travelling to London and would like to visit the Palace of Westminster, my office can arrange tours of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. In some instances, we can also arrange tickets to the public gallery, subject to availability.

At present, tours are only available on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and on Fridays (all day if the Commons are not sitting, late afternoon if they are). There will be no access to the Commons chamber after 09.30 on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.

To arrange a tour, please call us on 0131 476 2552. Early booking is advisable.