House of Commons Public Gallery

However, the Gallery will be closed when the House is in Recess (Christmas, Easter, half terms, summer and conference weeks).

Timings

On Monday to Thursday, the first hour of proceedings is devoted to Question Time, with Prime Minister's Question Time on Wednesdays. The House does not sit every Friday, so you should check before making any arrangements to visit on this day.

Obtaining Tickets

• If you are a UK resident, you can write to your local MP for tickets. However, as Members only have a few tickets allocated, you should contact them as far in advance as possible.
• Any foreign or Commonwealth visitors should apply to their Embassy or High Commission in the UK for a card of introduction. Embassies and High Commissions may issue a maximum of four cards for each day; so again, requests should be made as early as possible. These cards cannot guarantee entry during the first hour of proceedings, and you will not normally be permitted to enter until after Question Time.
• Canadian and Australian visitors may apply to the London office of their province or state as an alternative to their High Commission.
• Visitors from the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, British colonies and Commonwealth territories unrepresented in London may apply to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (020 7219 5378) for tickets.
• Alternatively, visitors may queue for entry outside St Stephen's Entrance. A wait of 1 or 2 hours is common, although waiting times will be reduced if you arrive at least 2 hours after the session has started. It is often possible to enter the Gallery on Fridays at the start of the day's session, without queuing, although a queue may develop later in the day.