Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what representations he has received from the Scottish Government on the provisions in the Infrastructure Bill [Lords] relating to decisions on an application for fracking.

Petroleum extraction is a non-devolved matter. As such the proposals for oil and gas will apply across England, Wales and Scotland. The proposals on deep geothermal energy also cover England, Wales and Scotland (where in Scotland, deep geothermal energy is exploited for the sole, or main purpose of electricity generation). The Scottish Government was consulted on the development of the right to use deep-level land provisions. Extending the provisions to deep geothermal energy for the purposes of heat, is the subject of discussion with the Scottish Government.

The planning regimes in England, Wales and Scotland will continue to operate unchanged. Companies seeking to exploit oil, gas or geothermal heat would still need to obtain planning permission from the Mineral Planning Authority, along with all other existing permissions, in order to develop a site.