LOCAL MSP SPEAKS IN UNCONVENTIONAL OIL AND GAS DEBATE

On Tuesday, Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North & Musselburgh, delivered a speech in the Scottish Parliament Chamber for the Unconventional Oil and Gas debate.
The SNP MSP has made his stance on fracking clear over the years as a supporter of the anti-fracking group, ‘Friends of the Earth,’ and participant in the ‘Hands Over Our Forth’ demonstration in 2015.
Colin Beattie, MSP noted in his speech:
‘Must we bring to Scotland fracking and the potential problems that accompany it, simply to learn the same lesson [as other countries]? My answer is no. Rather than subjecting our constituents to the risks of poisonous water and avoidable earthquakes, we need to ban fracking.
‘As my constituents and colleagues well know, I believe fracking has no place in Scotland. If coal-bed methane extraction were to occur in my constituency, the beautiful landscape would be forever marred, and Midlothian North and Musselburgh would run the risk of contaminated water and ruined soil. Such effects would be detrimental to our communities and we cannot stand by and let them happen.
 ‘We should and need to ban fracking without exception. I support the Scottish Government’s ban.’
Upon decision time, the motion, as amended, passed with 91 MSPs in favour and 28 against.
Concerning the immediate and effective ban on fracking, Colin Beattie commented:
‘Fracking infiltrating Scotland has been a concern of mine for many years and I am relieved that this will not be the case.’

Colin’s complete speech can be found at the following link: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=11143&i=101614&c=2031177&s= 
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