It is thought The Palace of Westminster is in line to host wedding receptions...
The Commons Administration Committee has suggested even the historic Westminster Hall could be hired out for private functions for around £25,000 a time.

Facilities included in the hire would be the Dining areas - including the primely positioned Terrace, adjacent to a the River Thames.

These proposals are aimed at halving the £5.7m annual loss made by the catering operation at Westminsters four main dining rooms. Although steps have been taken to cut losses, including prices rises last year to raise an extra £1.27m, the cross-party committee said it was reasonable to maintain some subsidy for the 13,000 people working at Westminster, given Parliament's irregular hours and long recesses. The MPs also added that it was "neither feasible nor desirable" to allow members of the public access to facilities when the House was sitting.

But their report added: "We are, however, not opposed in principle, and so long as any concerns raised by the Serjeant at Arms about security can be overcome, to opening the Strangers' and other facilities to the public on non-sitting days, including weekends and recesses, if all costs can be covered and the service offered profitably.

"Again, so long as a security concern is dealt with, we believe that allowing public access to the Terrace Pavilion for an afternoon tea service for those who have taken tours would raise revenue for the House and contribute in a minor way to the strategic goal of promoting public knowledge and understanding of the work and the role of Parliament through the provision of information and access."
Gunpowder plot

Opening up the facilities to the public would need the approval of the House of Commons, another committee headed by the Speaker, the House of Lords and the Queen.

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