The MP for the North Yorkshire village of Burniston, where a form of fracking is planned, has called for a parliamentary debate on the issue.

Alison Hume, Labour MP for Scarborough and Whitby, said residents were “waiting anxiously” to see whether North Yorkshire Council would approve an application by Europa Oil & Gas on the edge of the North York Moors National Park.

The proposal, for a gas exploration well, includes proppant squeeze, where fluid and proppant is pumped into rock at pressures high enough to fracture rocks.

But the volume of fluid is not high enough to qualify for associated hydraulic fracturing, which is controlled by legislation.

Ms Hume told the House of Commons yesterday:

“The technique, known as a proppant squeeze, is not currently included in the moratorium on fracking, but my constituents are understandably impatient to see it included in a future ban. Will the Leader of the House find Government time for a debate on fracking?”

Lucy Powell, the leader of the House of Commons, replied:

“this Government are committed to banning fracking for good. That is what many Members want to see.

“We are keeping under review the regulation of proppant squeezes, which she describes, because those are not bound by the fracking regulations, and I will ensure that she and the House are updated.”

Steve Mason, of Frack Free United, said today:

“Well done Alison Hume. The next parliamentary term is going to be a crucial period in this debate, particularly as planning applications, scoping consultations and ongoing legal issues will become more relevant. The government will need to decide where they sit on this issue.

“Either protect communities from the growing interest of the onshore industry, or bend to appease the fossil fuel lobby, and their political servants to allow the industry a bridgehead in our communities.”

A parliamentary early day motion calling for proppant squeeze to be covered by hydraulic fracturing, has attracted (at the time of writing) 27 supporters, all Lib Dems and Greens.