Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of shale gas extraction on (a) domestic and (b) commercial energy tariffs.

It is not yet known how much of the UK shale gas resource will ultimately be recoverable, or what rates of extraction, deliverability or reliability could be assumed if shale sources are found to be viable. Therefore the impact on energy tariffs has not been assessed to date.

The Government will continue to monitor progress of the shale gas industry and will revise its estimates, as appropriate, as the industry develops.