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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 17 May 2018 on Energy Policy, HCWS690, what representations he received from (a) individuals and (b) businesses in Warrington on fracking; and whether any applications for exploratory fracking in Warrington were received prior to that statement.

The Department routinely receives large volumes of correspondence from a wide range of organisations and individuals regarding shale gas exploration and production. We have not received any representations from either individuals or business in Warrington relating to the Written Ministerial Statement of 17 May.

The Oil and Gas Authority have received no applications to conduct hydraulic fracturing activities for either exploration or development in Warrington prior to (or since) the Written Ministerial Statement of 17 May.