Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Agriculture, Fisheries and Food – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 23 April 1987.
Mr Donald Thompson
, Calder Valley
12:00,
23 April 1987
My hon. Friend has obviously read the white paper and is still reading it. In fact, he has not got to the part that gives him the answer to the question about which he is coming to see me next week.
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
