General Election frees up Commons and Lords for extra guided tours
PARLIAMENTARY officials are hoping for a visitor windfall during the General Election due to the extra time they have to offer tours.
Parliamentary officials are hoping for a visitor windfall during the General Election
Dissolution to bring an end to the current Parliament is expected on May 3, meaning MPs revert to being members of the general public and have a few days to clear their desks before their security passes offering access to the Palace of Westminster are deactivated.
2017: Prime Minister Theresa May calls early general election
Officials now have an unexpected six-week window in which they can offer extra tour slots
With a snap election called for June 8 and Parliament not predicted to return until mid-June, officials now have an unexpected six-week window in which they can offer extra tour slots as both the Commons and Lords chambers will not be in use.
The two chambers are key parts of the 90-minute guided tours which cost between £11 and £28 depending on the visitor's age and whether they pre-book tickets, with children under five being allowed in for free.
A parliamentary source said they want to “maximise the openness of the palace” to enable as many people as possible to learn about its history and to ensure emergency restoration works can take place.
They also said the hundreds of extra people expected through the doors means they “hope to make thousands of extra pounds”.