Manuscript Amendment - Project Open Gov

An amendment submitted too late to appear on the amendment paper but considered only if selected by the chair.

Category: Parliamentary documents and sources Parliamentary procedure

Also used as: manuscript amendment, manuscript amendments, late amendment, manuscript motion amendment

Source / explainer: Read the UK Parliament glossary entry on manuscript amendments

Last reviewed: 21 August 2026

A Manuscript Amendment is an amendment submitted too late to appear on the amendment paper in the usual way. It can only be considered if the chair selects it for debate. The term is useful where a late change is made available during proceedings or where members seek to alter business at short notice.

Related terms

AmendmentA proposed change to the wording of a bill, motion, or other parliamentary text.Amendment PaperA parliamentary paper listing amendments tabled to a bill or motion.Committee StageThe stage where a bill is examined in detail and amendments can be considered line by line.Report StageThe stage after committee scrutiny when the whole House can consider and vote on further amendments.TablingThe formal act of putting forward a question, motion or amendment in Parliament.