Geothermal Energy — [Mr Nigel Evans in the Chair]

Part of Backbench Business – in Westminster Hall at 3:06 pm on 19 June 2018.

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Photo of John McNally John McNally Shadow SNP Spokesperson (Environment) 3:06, 19 June 2018

It is always a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Evans, and I thank Helen Goodman for securing this debate. Many interesting points have already been made on geothermal energy; it has been quite an education. The hon. Member for Bishop Auckland enlightened me that we have an MP in our midst who delivered projects on geothermal energy and I will make reference to that later on. Her points on disused coalmines are absolutely relevant, as were those raised by Luke Graham about the coalmines in Clackmannanshire.

My ears pricked up when the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland mentioned fracking. I would inform those here today that the Scottish Government have won their fracking case. The Court of Session has today rejected a petition by Ineos Upstream Limited and Reach Coal Seam Gas Limited that sought to challenge the Scottish Government’s action in relation to unconventional oil and gas. I am absolutely delighted by that.