To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals for securing a more level playing field in defence trade with the US his Department is currently considering; [37804](2) what assessment he has made of the balance of defence trade with the United States of America. [37786]

We make every effort to promote a two-way street in defence trade with the US where we assess the average ratio over the past five years has been 2:1 in favour of the United States. A level playing field is crucial to this aim and a memorandum of understanding on co-operation in R and D, production, procurement and logistics support of defence equipment is in place to help achieve this.