Westminster Hall is used for major public ceremonial events. The three-storey, stone Jewel Tower was built in 1365 with the aim to house the treasures of Edward III. It was situated at the remote southern end of the palace complex and built into the palace’s defensive walls. After a fire in 1835, the present Westminster Palace was built over the next 30 years. The architect Sir Charles Barry (1795–1860) and his assistant August Welby Pugin (1812–52) designed the palace, merging Westminster Hall and the remains of St Stephen’s Chapel.

Control of Westminster Palace was exercised for centuries by the queen’s representative, the Lord Great Chamberlain. In 1965, by agreement with the Crown, the control passed to the two Houses. Some ceremonial rooms continue to be controlled by the Lord Great Chamberlain. Today, British parliamentary government is based on a two-chamber system, with the House of Lords and House of Commons. The first is the upper House (not elected) and the second is the lower House (elected at least every five years). While the legislative process of the country involves both Houses, they are constituted on different principles. The main functions of the parliament are to vote for taxation, in order to carry on governmental work; examine government administration and policy; and to examine proposals for new laws and debate pressing issues.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) classified Westminster Palace, along with Westminster Abbey and St Margaret’s Church, as a World Heritage Site. There is no regular access to the interior, but the Palace may be viewed by debates from the public galleries of the two Houses; tours during parliamentary sessions; or in the summer months, when Parliament is not sitting.

Big Ben, as one of London’s most famous landmarks, is a 316-ft high clock tower which was cast in 1858. It is said that ‘Big Ben’ was named after the first commissioner of works in London, Sir Benjamin Hall. The name Big Ben actually refers to its 13-ton bell, with its mechanism alone weighing some five tons. The four clock dials are 23sq ft, with 14-ft copper minute hands and 2-ft long figures. The light above the clock is lit when the Commons is sitting.