Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of shale gas extraction on the industrial supply chain.

The ‘Getting Ready for UK Shale Gas’ report – commissioned by the onshore oil & gas industry and part-funded by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills – was published on 24th April and details the supply chain and skills needed to develop shale gas in the UK.

The report outlines the huge potential economic benefits to the UK economy. It estimates a potential £33 billion benefit to the UK economy, with over 64,000 jobs and the creation of a new onshore supply chain market for equipment, services and skills - across a number of industry sectors.

Full details of the report are at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/getting-ready-for-shale-gas-supply-chain-estimated-to-be-worth-billions-as-new-environmental-measures-announced.