Order Paper - Project Open Gov

The official list of business scheduled for a sitting day in Parliament.

Category: Parliamentary documents and sources

Also used as: order papers, Commons Order Paper, parliamentary order paper

Official website: View Commons business papers

Source / explainer: View Commons business papers

Last reviewed: 3 August 2026

The Order Paper is the official list of business scheduled for a sitting day. It can include questions, statements, motions, bill stages, amendments and other items of parliamentary business. It is an important source for understanding what the House is expected to consider and in what order.

Related terms

Business TodayThe part of the Commons Order Paper showing business scheduled for the current sitting day.Future BusinessParliamentary business scheduled or provisionally listed for later sitting days.Order of BusinessThe order in which parliamentary business is scheduled to be taken.Order of Oral QuestionsThe rota and order for departments to answer oral questions in the Commons.Written StatementA written statement by a minister placed on the parliamentary record.