The buildings housing the British parliament could host wedding receptions and open their restaurants to the public under plans unveiled on May 10 to cut the annual catering bill.
A cross-party committee of lawmakers even suggested that the historic Westminster Hall, where King Charles I was tried and Winston Churchill was laid in state, could be hired out for private functions at 25,000 pounds (NT$1.17 million).
The dining terrace alongside the River Thames may also be opened to the public.
Photo: EPA
照片：歐新社
The catering operation at the Palace of Westminster — as the complex of buildings is officially known — makes an annual loss of 5.7 million pounds.
The proposals are aimed at cutting the costs by half.
The lawmakers said the catering operation’s losses were growing because of lawmakers’ changing habits.
Photo: Reuters
照片：路透
Healthier lifestyles and stricter working practices have reduced the number of formal lunches and left parliament’s four main dining rooms under-occupied.
The House of Lords, the upper house of parliament, and Queen Elizabeth II would have approved any proposals to open up the facilities to the public.
(AFP)
為了減少每年餐飲服務預算的開銷，英國擬將這座英國國會大廈開放舉辦婚禮接待，並開放餐廳對外營業。
一個跨黨派的委員會甚至建議，將具歷史意義的西敏廳，以兩萬五千英鎊（約新台幣一百一十七萬元）外借，供私人用途使用。西敏廳曾是國王查理一世被審判，及溫斯頓‧邱吉爾葬前供公眾瞻仰的地點。
沿著泰晤士河的餐廳露台，也可能對外開放。
國會大廈官方名稱西敏寺宮內的餐飲服務營運狀況，年年虧損約五百七十萬英鎊。
這項提案目標是將花費減半。
議員說因為議員們習慣的改變，餐飲營運損失持續擴大。
更健康的生活方式與更嚴謹的工作實踐，已減少正式午餐銷售，並且讓議會的四個主要餐廳生意大受影響。
開放議會大廈設施需要得到下議院、上議院與女王伊莉莎白二世的批准。
（法新社／翻譯：林亞蒂）
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