Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to include specific clauses on human rights in their free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council; if so, what the clauses will consist of and how they will be monitored; and if they will not be included, why not.

The UK is a leading advocate for human rights around the world. This work takes place separately to negotiations on free trade agreements.

While aspects of trade policy can provide the opportunity to address other issues in a bilateral relationship, free trade agreements are not generally the most effective or targeted tool to advance human rights issues.

Trade deals like the UK-GCC FTA will be aligned with the trade and industrial strategies, to bring prosperity to communities across the country and fulfil our mission of securing the highest sustained growth in the G7.