Will SNP now back fracking?

Sir, - Ineos at Grangemouth has been trying to engage with residents in areas where shale gas can be found and has even said that there will be financial incentives for the community and householders.

The Scottish Parliament has voted to ban shale gas extraction but this was only passed because SNP MSPs were instructed to abstain. What does this say? Quite clearly it is in line with the SNP fence-sitting moratorium which allows time for “reflection” and the grand announcement that after long and detailed consideration and Scottish scientific advice and inspired new Scottish health and safety measures, Scottish fracking will be allowed to go ahead and Scottish shale gas will drive the Scottish economy.

Expert opinion, albeit English, is already available in that Public Health England concluded that the “current available evidence indicates that the potential risks will be low” and the UK Environmental Agency stated “that the use of hazardous substances would never be permitted”.

Is the SNP deliberately ignoring this advice since it comes from England? Clark Cross. 138 Springfield Road, Linlithgow.