Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Civil Aviation. – in the House of Commons at on 21 June 1939.
Sir Kingsley Wood
, Woolwich West
Yes, Sir. I am glad to announce that His Majesty's Government are largely in agreement with the recommendations of the Committee and with the principles underlying them. A white paper setting out the Government's decision on each of the recommendations is being published this evening. Where a recommendation can be put into effect by administrative action or by the Amendment of regulations, this is, being done forthwith. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my gratitude to Lord Gorell and his colleagues for their most valuable report.
A document issued by the Government laying out its policy, or proposed policy, on a topic of current concern.Although a white paper may occasion consultation as to the details of new legislation, it does signify a clear intention on the part of a government to pass new law. This is a contrast with green papers, which are issued less frequently, are more open-ended and may merely propose a strategy to be implemented in the details of other legislation.
More from wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_paper
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
