Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Wales – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 17 March 1997.
William Hague
Secretary of State for Wales
12:00,
17 March 1997
I thank my hon. Friend for his welcome for the new targets that have been set for the Welsh Development Agency. The rural white paper published last year demonstrated the importance that we attach to the future of rural areas of Wales. I shall today publish the 1997 review of the White Paper, which is an important step in the process of building a prosperous countryside and a healthy environment for rural Wales. That will include such matters as a further round of the schools technology initiative, broadening the coverage of the rural transport innovation grant, a new native woodland challenge scheme and new advice on encouraging village shops and other services in rural areas.
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