§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Prime Minister whether she will issue guidance to Ministers that documents announcing Government policy should be in the form of White Papers and that documents inviting comment before policy is finally determined should be identifiable as such by being issued in green covers; and whether she will further give guidance that in the latter case, the final date for representations to be considered should always be clearly stated.
§ The Prime MinisterThe circumstances in which it is appropriate for Government proposals to be issued in the form of a White Paper, or alternatively of a Green Paper, cannot be precisely distinguished in every case. White Papers frequently attract comment, and indeed debate, in this House. However, where representations from the general public are invited by a particular date, that date is of course given in the document.