Ministers would do well to consider the urban consequences of the Rural Crisis to which I am drawing attention.

People are looking to the Bill to provide real support, so that a Rural Crisis is not allowed to turn into a deep and lasting recession.

we need not worry about areas that are already on their knees owing to the Rural Crisis and the deep recession that they are experiencing, which will be exacerbated.

Equally, there are areas of acute rural poverty, which is being exacerbated by the Present Rural Crisis.

That lies at the heart of the Rural Crisis on which this debate has touched so far.

Given the disastrous state of farming in Wales and the totally anaemic Government response to the Welsh Affairs Committee report, what account has the Secretary of State taken of the Rural Crisis in assisted areas?

The Minister needs to understand that his failure to respond to those challenges and Labour's neglect of agriculture and the countryside is leading directly and rapidly to a Rural Crisis so severe that the damage from it will take generations to repair.

It behoves us all to impress on Government the need to examine the Rural Crisis.

Will there be a statement and a debate in Government time on the Rural Crisis?

Does the right hon. Lady accept that in some areas, especially hill areas, there is a Real Rural Crisis?

Some say that there is a Rural Crisis and that rural communities are collapsing.

Many farmers owe money to small businesses that have also been affected by the Rural Crisis.

This is a Rural Crisis.

To give a free vote to Members of Parliament on whether to ban hunting with dogs will do nothing to solve the Rural Crisis.

For too long, rural areas have been the poor relations of towns and cities in terms of services, yet their needs are just as great as, if not greater than, those of towns because of the Current Rural Crisis and the isolation that it has created.

May I reinforce the plea that my colleagues have just made for a debate on the Rural Crisis?

In the current climate of Rural Crisis, it is an unacceptable distraction from the real issues that face the countryside, let alone the nation.

The 2005 scheme meant a 50 per cent increase in calls to the Rural Crisis network,farm borrowing rising by £379 million in one year, RPA administration costs rising by £46.

increase in calls to the Rural Crisis Network; farm borrowings are up by £379 million in just one year; the RPA's extra administration costs were £46.

On the impact of the summer outbreak of animal disease as well as the flooding - it is right to bring the two together - we announced what I accept is a modest package targeted to the hill farmers, with some money to the Rural Crisis charities.

As the hon. Gentleman has said, they go to the heart of rural life, but in the midst of the Current Rural Crisis, is that having an impact on recruitment?