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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on (a) the ability of the Government to meet its climate change targets and (b) the environment of reducing regulations on shale gas extraction; and if he will make a statement.

The Government is firmly committed to meeting its ambitious climate change targets and contributing to the global effort to tackle climate change through the Paris Agreement.

Shale gas has the potential to be a home-grown energy source which can lead to jobs and economic growth, contribute to our security of supply, and be compatible with our climate change objectives.

Pursuant to my response to Question 175969, there are no plans to reduce the robust regulations for shale gas extraction - we have been clear that shale gas development must be safe and environmentally sound.