To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Government has an agreement with the United States which would allow RAF pilots to fly USMC F-35b aircraft.

There is no agreement for UK pilots flying USMC aircraft (or vice versa) beyond currently established Exchange Officer positions. However, we will always seek to achieve maximum interoperability and synergy of effort with the US in maritime projection, including under the UK/US Statement of Intent for Enhanced Carrier Co-operation. Carrier Strike Group 21 will see USMC F-35B and associated personnel fully integrated on HMS Queen Elizabeth for the deployment.