Members of the Lords can hold private events at the House of Lords.
Members of the House of Lords are subject to rules agreed by the House on using the House of Lords refreshment and facilities services for private events.
These rules include the following:
- The presence of a Member of the Lords is required for any event to take place.
- Events may not be used for public relations, advertising or commercial business, although events related to charities are permitted as long as no collection of funds is made during the course of the event.
- A Member of the Lords who sponsors an event for an organisation must have the organisation's name at the time of the preliminary reservation.
- A Member of the Lords must not accept a fee for hosting any event.
The costs of holding a private event are charged to the Member involved.
A log of Members' private events held at the House of Lords is published quarterly:
Events in the River Room
The Lord Speaker, Baroness D’Souza, oversees use of the River Room, the principal state room of the House of Lords, for parliamentary and charitable events sponsored by Members.