FRANCE'S GREEN SOCIALISTS 'BURIED SHALE REPORT'

France’s refusal to countenance exploiting shale gas deposits will cost it up to €293 billion and 225,000 jobs over the next three decades, according to a confidential government report. The report, which came down in favour of waterless fracking, was leaked to the media yesterday after it had been shelved by President Hollande’s Socialist-led cabinet. France’s radical shale gas laws make it an offence even to look for the fuel. “Shale gas is no longer on the agenda,” said Ségolène Royal, the environment minister, who is Mr Hollande’s former partner. --Adam Sage, The Times, 8 April 2015