Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment he has made of the Smith Commission's recommendations to devolve shale gas mineral access rights to Scotland.

The UK Government has welcomed the Smith Commission Agreement and has committed to delivering draft clauses by 25 January 2015.

The Department will now prepare draft clauses in order that the Agreement can be implemented. It is worth noting that most of the powers needed to make Scottish decisions on Shale are already devolved to Holyrood, Including all decisions on whether or not to grant planning and permitting consent for shale development.