Big Ben: MPs want say over possible use of landmark as film set

MPs must have their say before Big Ben is allowed to be used as a film set, Parliament has been told.

Hiring out the Elizabeth Tower which houses Big Ben to film companies is one idea being floated by a Commons committee to raise money.

But Conservative Robert Halfon said MPs must be able to debate the issue before any final decision was taken.

Mr Halfon led a campaign earlier this year to stop people having to pay to visit the clock tower.

In a report published on Wednesday, the House of Commons finance and services committee said hiring out the famous London landmark could help raise up to £3m a year as a visitor attraction.

In a point of order, Mr Halfon, MP for Harlow, urged Commons Speaker John Bercow to allow MPs a say before any version of the proposal was allowed to go ahead.

"There are reports film moguls are going to be allowed to film (in) Big Ben," he said.

"Could you ensure MPs are able to vote if this decision is made?"

Mr Bercow replied: "You are usually keenly attentive to your chances to contribute to debates in the Commons. Can I suggest the debate on November 8 might be a suitable opportunity to catch my eye?"

MPs are due next month to debate plans for the House of Commons' medium-term financial outlook.

In March, Mr Halfon helped reverse plans to charge people £15 a time to climb the clock tower - which was recently renamed the Elizabeth Tower to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Charging visitors would breach citizens' democratic rights to visit Parliament freely, he argued.

The clock and tower is widely known as Big Ben, which was the nickname originally given to the Great Bell within the tower.