Glossary
This section explains key parliamentary and government terms.
Cabinet Office
Abbreviation: CO
The government department that supports the Prime Minister, Cabinet and the effective running of government.
Call for Evidence
An invitation for written submissions to help inform a committee inquiry or review.
Care Quality Commission
Abbreviation: CQC
The independent regulator of health and adult social care services in England.
Carry-over Motion
A motion allowing a bill to continue into the next parliamentary session instead of falling.
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Abbreviation: Chancellor
The senior minister responsible for the Treasury and the UK’s economic and fiscal policy.
Charity Commission for England and Wales
Abbreviation: Charity Commission
The regulator and registrar of charities in England and Wales.
Civil Aviation Authority
Abbreviation: CAA
The UK regulator for civil aviation.
Closure Motion
A motion asking the House to end debate and move to a decision.
Command Paper
Abbreviation: CP
A government paper formally presented to Parliament.
Commencement Order
A legal instrument that brings part or all of an Act into force.
Commencement Regulations
Regulations used to bring provisions of an Act into force.
Committal Motion
A motion deciding how or where a bill will be sent for detailed committee scrutiny.
Committee of Privileges
Abbreviation: Privileges Committee
A Commons committee that considers matters relating to parliamentary privilege referred to it by the House.
Committee of the whole House
A stage where the entire House considers a bill in committee form, rather than sending it to a smaller committee.
Committee on Standards
Abbreviation: Standards Committee
A Commons committee concerned with standards of conduct for MPs.
Committee Report
A published report setting out a parliamentary committee’s findings and recommendations.
Committee Stage
The stage where a bill is examined in detail and amendments can be considered line by line.
Competition and Markets Authority
Abbreviation: CMA
The UK regulator responsible for competition and consumer protection enforcement.
Confidence Motion
A motion used to test whether the government still has the support of the House of Commons.
Consolidation Bill
A bill that brings together existing law on a subject into a more orderly single Act, usually without major policy change.
Consumer Prices Index
Abbreviation: CPI
A measure of inflation based on changes in consumer prices.
Copyright
A legal right that protects original creative works from being copied or used without permission.
Creative Industries
Sectors of the economy based on creative work, such as film, music, publishing, design and the arts.
Crown Prosecution Service
Abbreviation: CPS
The public body responsible for prosecuting criminal cases in England and Wales.