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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what his policy is on hydraulic fracturing.

The UK Government supports shale gas exploration to determine the potential of the industry. Shale gas is natural gas found deep underground in impermeable shale rock and requires hydraulic fracturing (or ‘fracking’) to flow.

Shale gas could create a new British industry, provide more jobs and make us less reliant on imports from abroad. However, we are clear, shale gas operations will only take place in a manner which is safe for the environment and local communities.

Any company looking to develop shale will need to obtain all the necessary permissions, including planning and environmental permits, before hydraulic fracturing can be carried out.