Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at on 24 January 1940.
Mr William Dobbie
, Rotherham
asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to issue a white paper dealing with the negotiations for a treaty between His Majesty's Government and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics prior to the breakdown of same; and whether he will issue such Paper at an early date?
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
