Control command processing apparatus has first decoding means which decodes a predetermined set of control commands. When a first end command is processed, the address of the end command is compared with an address information item with regard to the beginning of the next control command sequence and, from the difference between the addresses it is identified whether the end command is additionally followed by further control commands of a second set of control commands. These commands are then processed by further decoding means. Undefined states are thereby prevented.