Command Paper

A government paper formally presented to Parliament.

Abbreviation: CP

Also used as: Command Papers, command paper, command papers

Source / explainer: Browse the UK Parliament glossary

Last reviewed: 3 August 2026

A Command Paper is a government document formally presented to Parliament. Command Papers can include major policy documents, treaty papers, government responses, reports, statements of strategy and other official material. They are numbered and form part of the wider set of documents laid before Parliament.

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