Introduction of cameras in the House of Commons

Introduction of cameras in the House of Commons

It was a historic date when television entered the House of Commons, the British Parliament. Queen of England Elizabeth II today delivered her 36th Speech from the Throne for the opening of the parliamentary session in front of the cameras. Eight automatic cameras have been installed, they are directed by an outside control and their movements are strictly regulated to film the debates of deputies. Some of them, like Margaret Thatcher, have taken a maintenance course. Interview with John WILKINSON, Conservative MP on the reasons for the delay in introducing cameras to film parliamentary debates: "the old generation was not interested" unlike the new generation of MPs.

01

 

min

 

31

 

sec

File : Palace of Westminster

Publication date : 21 November 1989