§ Miss Boothroydasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in the course of his discussions in Saudi Arabia, the Minister of State made representations about (a) the banning of Christmas festivities, (b) the flogging and public humiliation of British subjects and (c) discriminatory restrictions against women; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RifkindAs my hon. Friend the Member for Shoreham (Mr. Luce) said on 20 March 1985, he made clear to his Saudi hosts that differences of culture, law and tradition could give rise to strong feelings in both countries which they and we should work to overcome. We acceplt that there is concern in Britain over the methods of punishment employed in Saudi Arabia against British citizens who have transgressed Saudi law. The Saudi authorities have been made aware that caning is abhorrent to British opinion.
As for reports of the banning of Christmas festivities, my hon. Friend the Member for Shoreham said on 12 December 1984 that the difficulty was not widespread. But of course we are concerned that British subjects in all countries should be able to worship in private groups in accordance with their conscience at Christmas as at other times. In places where problems may occur, Her Majesty's embassy monitors the situation closely in consultation with members of the British community, and endeavours to ensure that suitable arrangements for worship are made.
The question of the treatment of women in Saudi Arabia is a matter for the Saudi authorities.