Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what place the rate of state executions in Saudi Arabia will have in determining the UK's future trading relationship with that country.

The Government does not prioritise trade over human rights, nor does it shy away from condemning the use of the death penalty in all circumstances and in all countries. The Saudis are well aware of our position. We raise our concerns with the Saudi authorities at all levels and at all appropriate opportunities, in line with the standards set out in the EU guidelines on the death penalty, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Arab Charter on Human Rights.

The relationships we build with countries, including Saudi Arabia, through trade and security links, and educational and research collaboration, allow us to make greater progress with those countries on human rights, including on the death penalty.

The Government especially opposes the death penalty when applied to minor crimes and to juveniles. The Government supports the law proposed by the Shura Council to abolish the death sentence for those under the age of 18 in Saudi Arabia. We will continue to press for progress on the matter.