THE WHIPS - 'THE WHIP' It is part of a Whip's job to see that members are kept informed about forthcoming business - and make sure they know which issues matter most to the party. Every week they send a notice (known as The Whip) to MPs, which gives the order of business for the following week. In The Whip, each matter to be discussed in the house will be underlined once, twice, or three times. A single underline means the matter is not particularly important - and the member's attendance is 'requested'. Two underlines means attendance is 'particularly requested'. But attendance is 'essential' if there are three underlines (a 'three-line whip').