MORE needs to be done to promote the benefits of fracking but it should only be carried out if there is "no risk" to the environment, a spokesman for David Cameron has indicated.
The Prime Minister believes shale gas offers "exciting" potential for energy security, jobs and growth and the Government needs to do more to promote the benefits.
The comments came amid increasing signs of unease among MPs about the innovative method of extracting gas for energy from shale deposits deep beneath the ground.
The Prime Minister's spokesman gave Mr Cameron's backing to comments by Energy Minister Michael Fallon, who suggested large areas of the affluent south-east could be sitting on valuable shale reserves.
In reported comments from a private meeting, Mr Fallon appeared to relish the idea of fracking taking place beneath the homes of "chattering class" commentators in West Sussex.
Mr Cameron's spokesman dismissed comments reported at the weekend that the beauty of drilling was that it was underneath the homes of the "commentariat" as light-hearted.
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