UK: "Fracking Under National Parks Approved By MPs Amid Acrimony"

"Labour and Lib Dem accuse government of sneaking plans through ‘back door’ after giving no time for Commons debate".

"MPs have voted to allow fracking under Britain’s national parks, drawing accusations that the government has sneaked the measure through parliament without a proper debate.

Ministers used a statutory instrument – a form of secondary legislation – to push through the new rules, which means legislation can pass into law without a debate in the House of Commons. MPs voted in favour by 298 to 261.

The new rules allow fracking 1,200 metres below national parks and sites of special scientific interest, as long as drilling takes place from outside protected areas. This comes despite the government previously pledging an outright ban on the controversial technique for extracting shale gas in such areas."

Frances Perraudin reports for the Guardian December 16, 2015.