HYDRAULIC FRACTURING (FRACKING) (No. 2)

Early day motion 2292, tabled 20 October 2011 by Caroline Lucas (Green). Signed by 49 members.

That this House believes a moratorium should be placed on onshore and offshore exploration, development and production of shale gas via the withdrawal of UK Petroleum Exploration and Drilling Licences at sites utilising hydraulic fracturing (fracking) processes, at least until the publication of a detailed environmental impact assessment into the practice; notes that hydraulic fracturing can contaminate local water sources such as aquifers, which provide about 30 per cent. of the UK's drinking water; further believes the production of hard to reach fossil fuels is not compatible with efforts to achieve the UK's statutory carbon budgets; and, therefore, urges the Government instead to give greater support to the generation of energy from renewable sources.

Signatures by party: Labour 32, Liberal Democrat 10, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Plaid Cymru 2, Alliance 1, Green 1.