White paper

A white paper can be an authoritative report on a major issue, as by a team of experts;

Government white papers

In Commonwealth countries, it is the informal name for a parliamentary paper. In the United Kingdom they are (normally a "Command paper") issued by the government and 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. By contrast, 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.

Related Topics:
Commonwealth countries - Parliamentary paper - United Kingdom - Command paper - Green paper

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White papers published by the European Commission are documents containing proposals for European Union action in a specific area. They sometimes follow a green paper released to launch a public consultation process.

Related Topics:
European Commission - European Union - Green paper

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eg. British White Paper of 1922 - Churchill White Paper (10 June 1922, United Kingdom )

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eg. Advancing the National Interest (2003, Commonwealth of Australia)

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