An anti-fracking group in Lewes in East Sussex is calling on its supporters to contact their local MP, Norman Baker, in advance of a debate on the issue tomorrow morning (25/11/14).

Mr Baker, who resigned as a Home Office minister earlier this month, won a ballot of MPs last week to choose the topic of an adjournment debate.

At the time of posting this article, there was no published motion for the debate. Mr Baker’s office told us. “The theme for this debate is Fracking and he has said his focus is ‘I am highly sceptical about the value of fracking and believe it has lots of downsides’”.

Lewes Against Fracking said: “It would be great if as many people as possible could contact him to bolster any anti-fracking arguments with a firm expression of support from the constituency.”

The group says the debate is well-timed with the Infrastructure Bill, currently going through the Houses of Parliament. This proposes to give oil and gas companies the right to drill below 300m without the consent of landowners. A government amendment also seeks to give companies the right to leave substances underground, again without the landowners’ permission.

Lewes Against Fracking urged supporters: “When writing to Norman, please include a short message requesting that he opposes this bill in its entirety as it passes through the House of Commons, making it clear that it represents a key electoral issue”.

The debate is in Westminster Hall, starting at 9.30am. It is being streamed on the web by Parliament TV. Link