Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Wales – in the House of Commons at 11:30 am on 21 March 2007.
David Jones
Shadow Minister (Wales)
11:30,
21 March 2007
The energy white paper has still not been published, despite being promised for the beginning of this year. That delay is caused by the Government's admitted failures to consult over the energy review. It is now certain that Wylfa nuclear power station will close in 2010. Will the Secretary of State tell the House how the Government propose to make up for the loss of generating capacity as a result of Wylfa's closure? Why did the Government not act sooner to formulate their energy policy so as to secure the electricity supply in Wales?
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
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
