THIS government’s historically complacent approach to regulation should be ringing alarm bells in all of those areas affected by the threat of fracking.

In October last, researchers at Stirling University concluded that “the evidence base for robust regulation and good industry practice is currently absent” and that “the evidence from peer-reviewed papers suggests fracking in the UK will not be effectively regulated”.

The report affirms that “peer-reviewed public health literature... already identifies significant hazards and major potential risks from the industry”.

Is our Thirsk and Malton MP, Kevin Hollinrake, a strong advocate of fracking, still convinced in this Climate Week of Action that our regulations are gold standard, and that our regulators are sufficiently numerous to enforce them?

If not, he should insist that the precautionary principle be applied.

David Cragg-James, Stonegrave, York