Submission - Control Over the Palace of Westminster [1965-03-19]

The Prime Minister, with his humble duty, begs to lay before The Queen for Her Majesty’s gracious consideration certain proposals and recommendations for the reorganisation of the duties and functions of the office of the Lord Great Chamberlain.

These recommendations are intended to secure, in a manner consistent with The Queen’s dignity and that of Parliament, the greatest possible efficiency and convenience in the control and use of the Palace of Westminster.

The Prime Minister proposes that while the ceremonial functions and the authority of the Lord Great Chamberlain should remain unchanged on occasions of State and ceremony, the control of the accommodation and services in that part of the Palace and its precincts now occupied by or on behalf of the House of Lords should

be vested in the Lord Chancellor as Speaker of the House of Lords on behalf of that House, and that the control of the accommodation and services in that part of the Palace and its precincts now occupied by or on behalf of the House of Commons should be vested in Mr. Speaker on behalf of that House.

The Prime Minister proposes that the control of Westminster Hall should be vested jointly in the two Speakers on behalf of the two Houses and in the Lord Great Chamberlain as representing The Queen and that, subject to this, the Minister of Public Building and Works should be responsible for the day to day management of Westminster Hall and also of the Crypt Chapel.

The Prime Minister proposes that the Minister of Public Building and Works should be responsible to both Houses for the provision of custodians and guides as may be necessary for the Palace.

These proposals have been discussed with the Leaders of the Parties and other Authorities and the Prime Minister

understands that they are likely to be acceptable to them.

Lord Cholmondeley, Lord Ancaster and Lady Forrester, representing the co-heirs in whom the hereditary office of Lord Great Chamberlain is now vested, have assented to these arrangements.