Monday is the 70th anniversary of the Commons sitting in its new chamber. The old chamber was destroyed by enemy bombing during the Blitz in 1941.

From late June 1941 until October 1950, the Commons met in the Lords Chamber, while the Lords met in the Robing Room (a fact which was kept secret during the war). Here is the Lords chamber set up for a Commons sitting.

There is a fascinating BBC documentary about the construction of the new House of Commons. First transmitted on 28 October 1950, it is available on the BBC iPlayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00s7dfd/the-debate-continues

It has rare footage of the chamber just prior to it coming into use - note there is only one despatch box on the table in this image from the documentary.

The re-dedication of the House of Commons was marked with one of the grandest ceremonies seen in Westminster Hall in centuries. Even in black and white it looks very fancy. 29 Commonwealth Speakers were in attendance along with three generations of the Royal Family.

Mr Speaker @LindsayHoyle_MP said: “Our parliamentary democracy has and will endure everything that is thrown at it, be it bombs or - as we are experiencing now - Covid.

©UK Parliament / Jessica Taylor

“The challenges may be very different, but 70 years on - with our chamber filled with screens and tape to enable virtual participation and keep us socially distanced - we continue to demonstrate flexibility and resolve to ensure democracy continues.”

Those pre-Covid photos are from the camera of Commons photographer @Jess__Taylor__

©UK Parliament / Jessica Taylor