Another question I've not seemed to find an answer for is whether you can just "walk through" the buildings of Parliament. Or is the only way to see any interiors there to queue up for sessions in the House of Lords or Commons? Thanks for your responses.

<BR>Dr Mr Vikmanis,<BR><BR>I am afraid you cannot just wander in Parliament. In summer, when the houses are in recess, you may find that tours are organised for the public. But at most times you join a line at the strangers door to wait to hear the Lords or the Commons. The Commons line is shorter, and their standard of debate is higher.<BR><BR>There is another way. Just before you leave home, or from an internet caf&eacute; in London, you go into http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk and look for House of Commons Select Committees and House of Lords Select Committees. You find a couple on a subjects you like, make as note, and on your chosen day walk boldly up to the strangers door, bypassing the whole line. At the door you tell the police officer which committee you would like to hear, pass the security machinery, and walk light of step past all the people waiting to hear the Lords and Commons. At Central Lobby you go up the great staircase to the Committees Corridor, look at the lists to see which number room has your meeting, find the door marked for the public, slip quietly inside, and sit. After a suitable period you slip out again, and leave the building, slowly.<BR><BR>[email protected]<BR>

Overseas visitors can no longer take tours of Parliament except during the two normal &quot;summer&quot; breaks. These are generally the month of August and late Sept. to early Oct. <BR><BR>For these two periods, they have regular tours - but you need to queue early to get in.<BR><BR>(UK residents can tour with tickets they get from their MPs.)

I have just been into the site, and see snags. Some Commons Committees now meet in Portcullis House, a post-modern building over the road. Admission there will take you nowhere near the Victorian grandeur you are looking for. Meanwhile, the cunning Lords have taken their calendar off the net, so you have to enter committee by committee to see what each handles. No problem. When you have four subject areas that interest you you can phone the Lords committees office on 020 7219 3140 to ask what is on in the next two days.<BR><BR>Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. <BR><BR>[email protected]<BR>

I have just been into the site, and see snags. Some Commons Committees now meet in Portcullis House, a post-modern building over the road. Admission there will take you nowhere near the Victorian grandeur you are looking for. Meanwhile, the cunning Lords have taken their calendar off the net, so you have to enter committee by committee to see what each handles. No problem. When you have four subject areas that interest you you can phone the Lords committees office on 020 7219 3140 to ask what is on in the next two days.<BR><BR>Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. <BR><BR>[email protected]<BR>

Ben ,<BR>Have you ever thought of running for office. You would be a refreshing change too the Blo-hards we have now.<BR>Keep up the good work as Londons # 1 tourist Advisor. On second thought we need you here . Love ya, Chris<BR>

Thanks so much. Nothing like getting the true skinny from an insider. Can't tell you how many tips from Ben Haines I've incoporated into my London to-do list. I really appreciate your help.

Sorry for an error. Itb is the Lords who have the better debates and the shorter line.<BR><BR>Ben Haines

Wow. Just goes to show what a burden you bear when you become a true expert. I'd read that the Lords have the better debates and thought it strange when you said Commons did, then rethought and decided you must be right since you're Ben Haines and really know London. I'll take your advice gladly even if you do have feet of clay.