asked Her Majesty's Government:How long a temporary store for nuclear waste can exist before its operator is required to apply for a permanent consent. [HL1429]

There is no defined time limit for storage of nuclear waste at a licensed nuclear installation. All waste stored on a licensed site is regulated and controlled by the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate under the conditions which attach to the nuclear site licence. The conditions require the preparation of an adequate safety case by the licensee for all operations which may affect nuclear safety. These operations include the storage of radioactive waste.