THE PALACE OF WESTMINSTER

The seat of the British Parliament is the Palace of Westminster or the Houses of Parliament. It is among the most admired buildings in Europe. The Palace of Westminster includes the House of Lords, the House of Commons, Westminster Hall, the Clock Tower, the Victoria Tower, various committee rooms, residences, offices, etc. The famous Clock Tower houses "Big Ben" - the clock named after Sir Benjamin Hall under whose direction the construction of the clock was conducted. People call the clock Big Ben, but the name really belongs to the bell on which the clock strikes the hours. A light at the top of the Clock Tower shows when Parliament is sitting at night. And all the time Parliament is in session, a flag can be seen over the buildind of the Palace of Westminster.