Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the (a) political and (b) humanitarian situation in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is a major political, energy, diplomatic and economic power in the Middle East. The UK has vital national security and prosperity interests in maintaining and developing our longstanding relationship with Saudi Arabia.

We have seen positive social change on women's rights, sports, entertainment and cultural spaces under Vision 2030, the Kingdom's socio-economic reform programme. However, Saudi Arabia remains a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Human Rights Priority Country, particularly because of the use of the death penalty, freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief.