That was demonstrated this morning, when a number of my constituents from the inner Lakeland area, in particular, the town of Keswick - under the flag of the Cumbria Crisis alliance, which was set up recently - spoke of their concern.

I do not believe that the Crisis in Cumbria has been caused by an outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

Will my right hon. Friend arrange for the taskforce to take evidence not only from local authorities and organisations identified with local authorities, but from some of the grass-roots organisations that have sprung up in these areas to represent the people who are in trouble, such as Cumbria Crisis alliance in my constituency?

I am also happy to agree that the evidence feeding into the regional development agencies comes not only from bodies such as those my hon. Friend mentioned, but from some of the smaller bodies, such as the Cumbria Crisis alliance.

Cumbria Crisis Alliance, a grassroots organisation that has sprung up in my constituency, and the local chambers of trade have produced some innovative thinking, some of which has already been reported to Ministers.

There is an organisation based in Keswick called the Cumbria Crisis Alliance.

I was plunged into the Crisis in Cumbria in order to respond to the Government's Statement at that time.