Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, whether he has had discussions with the Welsh Government on the possibility of extending powers over access to shale gas mineral rights.

I have had no discussions with the Welsh Government on devolving these powers to Wales.

On the wider subject of devolution, my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales intends to announce, by St David’s Day, a set of commitments, agreed by the four main political parties in Wales, on the way forward for Welsh devolution. These commitments can then form a basis, a “baseline”, for taking forward Welsh devolution after the General Election in May. As part of this process, the Secretary of State for Wales has said he will look carefully at the proposals made by the Smith Commission to identify which, if any, may warrant further consideration and analysis in respect of Wales.