§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures Her Majesty's Government are taking to link the United Kingdom's trade and defence policies with Saudi Arabia's performance in the area of respect for religious liberty; and if he will make a statement. [2000]
§ Mr. HanleyThe practice of any form of religious other than Islam in Saudi Arabia is prohibited by law. Her Majesty's Government have no plans to link the UK's trade and defence policies with Saudi Arabia's performance in the area of respect for religious liberty. But the Saudi Government are well aware of our views on freedom of thought, conscience and religion and on the importance of inter-faith dialogue.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government are taking to encourage the Government of Saudi Arabia to permit(a) Christian worship, (b) the building of churches and (c) the free sale and distribution of bibles in that country; and if he will make a statement. [1999]
§ Mr. HanleyThe practice of any form of religion other than Islam in Saudi Arabia is prohibited by law. The Saudi authorities are aware of our views on the importance of the freedoms enshrined in the universal declaration of human rights, including the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.