Investing in Britain’s Future

Debate between Ben Wallace and Danny Alexander

Thursday 27th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Danny Alexander]

What a pathetic comment. There was a proper competition for all the contracts in every county in England, as well as in Scotland and Wales. The hon. Gentleman should welcome the fact that the Government are making a serious financial contribution—the first Government ever to do so—in the roll-out of superfast broadband across the country.

[Mr Ben Wallace (Wyre and Preston North) (Con)]

Assuming that 10% of shale gas is recoverable, Lancashire and Yorkshire are sitting on $440 billion worth of gas. Will the Chief Secretary ensure that the communities that live closest to this potential development are generously compensated, and that a sizeable proportion of those revenues, which could potentially go to the Treasury in London, are used to improve and develop those great counties of England?

[Danny Alexander]

As the hon. Gentleman will see when he looks at the document that we published today, part of the announcement states:

“Operators will commit to provide £100,000 in community benefits at exploration phase, per well-site where hydraulic fracturing occurs. They will commit to sharing their proceeds with communities, providing one per cent of revenues to communities that host them.”