Eye-level cameras bring new perspective on Commons Chamber

Following an off-air trial in January 2015, the Committee reviewed footage and agreed that the eye-level position provides a significant improvement over debates filmed by the current high-level fixed cameras.

The cameras will capture Chamber business from the beginning of the new 2015 Parliament and will be located in the under galleries behind the Speaker’s chair. A trial of a similar low-level camera at the opposite end of the Chamber will be undertaken later this year.

The decision comes following the Administration Committee’s 2012 inquiry into the Rules of Coverage for televising the Commons (532 KB PDF) and Commission Response (64 KB PDF) which recommended that trials be conducted following a request by broadcasters that new camera angles be introduced. In subsequent years, similar recommendations were made by the Speaker’s Advisory Council on Public Engagement and the Speaker's Commission of Digital Democracy

• Rt Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst MP, Chair of the Administration Committee, said: “The Committee reviewed the trial footage and agreed that the new shots show Chamber proceedings in a way that will be more engaging, modern, and accessible to viewers. The lower vantage points offer particular improvements when showing Members below the gangway, wheelchair users, and the front benches.”