DOZENS of redundant nuclear submarines have waited decades — one for more than 40 years — to be dismantled, and the backlog is set to grow without action, Parliament has heard.

Labour Defence Minister Lord Coaker told the House of Lords on Wednesday that the breaking-up of the rotting hulks must be accelerated.

Peers heard that not only will the backlog shortly be joined by the present fleet, but the next generation of subs have a service life of just 20 years, potentially storing up even greater challenges in future.