– in the House of Commons am ar 8 Tachwedd 1939.
Mr Ernest Thurtle
, Shoreditch
asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have yet reached any decision regarding the publication of a white paper covering the negotiations which took place with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, prior to the announcement that Russia had arrived at an agreement with the Nazi Government of Germany?
Mr R.A. Butler
, Saffron Walden
I would refer the hon. Member to my replies to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent (Mr. E. Smith) on nth October and to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 25th October.
Mr Ernest Thurtle
, Shoreditch
Is the Under-Secretary aware that in some quarters responsibility for the failure of these negotiations is placed entirely on this country? In those circumstances, would it not be a good thing to make the facts known, so that people may judge for themselves?
Mr R.A. Butler
, Saffron Walden
I need hardly say that interpretation is not correct. I appreciate the difficulty of the hon. Member, but if he will refer to the answers I have given previously he will see that there are great difficulties about publishing the information required.
Sir Geoffrey Mander
, Wolverhampton East
Have the Russian Government any objection to the publication of these documents?
Mr R.A. Butler
, Saffron Walden
I answer merely for our Government.
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
