Bomb damage

In October 1943, following the destruction of the Commons Chamber by incendiary bombs during the Blitz, the Commons debated the question of rebuilding the chamber.

Between 1940 and 1941, both Houses of Parliament were in fact convened at Church House in Westminster due to a fear that the Chambers might be bombed. The Palace was damaged by air raids on fourteen different occasions during the war.

See views of bomb damage to the Palace of Westminster during the Blitz.

The Members' Lobby was designed to be the working ante-room to the Commons Chamber. The room was extensively damaged by Second World War bombing, and was rebuilt afterwards in a simplified style.