Saudi Arabia: Driving Licences

Lord Berkeley Excerpts

Wednesday 26th October 2011 Lords Chamber

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, I am sure that when we talk to the Saudi Arabian Government, we make that point.

[Lord Berkeley]

My Lords, surely the noble Lord could say straight to the Saudi Arabian Government, “We are not going to enter into these negotiations until you allow all women of the right age and with the right experience to be able to drive in Saudi Arabia and we will not accept those licences in this country until that is achieved”.

[Earl Attlee]

My Lords, I think the best way of achieving our objective—I think we are clear about our objective—is to apply steady, consistent pressure to states like Saudi Arabia. We will not get them to roll over overnight. No doubt the Saudis give us friendly advice about, for instance, underage drinking and other cultural matters.