The rebuilding of the palace of Westminster after a fire in 1834, took thirty years. Its new construction was designed and managed by Charles Barry and Augustus Pugin. This report is from the first session in the new House of Lords.
“HOUSE of LORDS, Thursday, April 15.
The Peers occupied their new apartments this evening for the first time, but no ceremony was observed on the occasion. There was a large gathering of some of Peers and members of the House of Commons at the foot of the throne; among them Lord John Russell appeared for a short time. His Lordship afterwards visited the galleries and the other parts of the House. In consequence of the immense extent of the hall, and its peculiarity of construction, the echo is so great that it is extremely difficult to hear distinctly in the gallery what is said in the body of the House.
Shortly after the Lord Chancellor had taken his seat on the Woolsack, Lord Campbell rose for the purpose of addressing the House. His lordship, however, was by an accident deprived of the honour of being the first person to bring forward any business in the new House, for before he could commence his address, the Usher of the Black Rod announced a message from the House of Commons; whereupon Mr. Green and other members were called in and brought up several bills. This was the first public business transacted in the new House.”
The Stamford Mercury, 23rd April, 1847.