Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he plans to publish environmental and technical guidelines on fracking. [161100]

Michael Fallon, Minister of State for Business and Enterprise: The Department for Communities and Local Government will produce technical planning guidance on shale gas by July 2013 to provide clarity around planning for shale gas during the important exploration phase for the industry. In addition, the Environment Agency intends to publish technical guidance on exploratory oil and gas operations, involving the use of hydraulic fracturing, for public consultation in the summer.

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