SO, Prime Minister David Cameron would not object to fracking in his own constituency “as long as the proper planning process was followed”.

Nobody should be surprised by this belated admission from the Witney MP, given that he went on record last week proclaiming his general support for the expansion of shale gas extraction in the UK.

It would have beeen Nimbyish in the extreme if Mr Cameron had ruled it out in his own backlyard.

The only thing that rankles here is that it took more than a week for him to answer this very simple question and that his coterie of spin doctors spent so long dodging this perfectly reasonable inquiry instead of answering it.

We are glad Mr Cameron has personally resolved that one, as there is nothing more guaranteed to irritate the ordinary voter than a politician who fails to answer a straightforward question.

Far too many MPs do it, either because they are frightened to say what they think, or because they believe the electorate can be palmed off with a shower of waffle.

Mr Cameron’s stance will drive the anti-fracking brigade into a frenzy.

But it does make a nice change to know exactly where a politician stands on such an emotive and topical issue.

Fellow MPs, please take note. If the Prime Minister can do it, then so can you.