[Ammi]

Queen Elizabeth Tower, more commonly known as 'Big Ben', could be hired out as a film set if new plans for the Palace of Westminster come to fruition.

The iconic London landmark could be part of a scheme to raise £3 million per year in revenue from the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Hall and other buildings

Currently, filming is not allowed in the tower containing the Big Ben bell, but it's hoped that it could become a money-spinner by letting cameras in.

The clock face of Big Ben was famously shot in the 1978 film 'The Thirty Nine Steps', where actor Robert Powell, playing intelligence man Richard Hannay, hung precariously from its minute hand.

It's also thought that the House of Commons' dining rooms could also be hired out.

But not all MPs are in favour of the plans.

Tory MP Robert Halfon said: “Parliament should be for the people, and not become a theme park.

“This is the greatest Parliament in the world, in one of the oldest democracies in the world. It should not be a plaything for film moguls and big business trying to make a quick buck.”

A target of raising the £3 million in revenue from the site is to be reached by 2015