§ Mr. BakerTo ask the President of the Board of Trade when the licences expire in respect of each operating nuclear power station; and if she will list the stations where the operating licence has been extended, indicating for each station listed the dates of the expiry of the original licence and the dates of renewals granted. [8911]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 16 July 1997]: Nuclear site licences do not have set expiry dates. A licence remains in force until such time as either a new licence is granted for the site, the operator surrenders the licence, or it is revoked by the Health and Safety Executive.
As explained in my answer of 10 July 1997, Official Report, column 599, subject to nuclear power stations continuing to meet the high standards of safety demanded by the Health and Safety Executive, decision on their closure are a matter for the operators.