You ask the questions: (Such as: Jack Straw, is it true that you are the only male member of the Cabinet who can hold his drink?)

Jack Straw MP was born in 1946 and educated at Brentwood School and Leeds University. He was president of Leeds University Students Union from 1967-1968 and of the National Union of Students from 1969-1971. He worked as a barrister from 1972-1974. He has been the Member of Parliament for Blackburn since 1979. He was appointed Home Secretary on 2 May 1997. He is married with a son and a daughter. His recreations are walking, music, cooking puddings and supporting Blackburn Rovers.

If you hadn't gone into politics, what would you have done?

Tim Norton, Nottingham

Stayed at the Bar.

What was your favourite toy as an eight-year-old child?

Maria Kemp, Brentwood, Essex

A clockwork train-set.

Would you accept a walk-on part in Brookside?

Joe Perry, Norwich, Norfolk

No!

Do you regret making your comments about Squeegee merchants?

Kenneth Winter, Sussex

No.

When can we expect the Freedom of Information Bill that Labour has always promised?

Adam Geering, Brighton

Later this month.

Why do you think you have such an image problem and lack any fan club? (Even Michael Howard had a few devoted hangers and floggers.)

Robert Husted, Oxfordshire

Others say my fan club is huge.

What did you make of General Pinochet's supporters' claim that your judgement would be biased by your visit to Chile as a student?

Naomi Morley, Duxford, Cambridge

I made my decision in accordance with the duties placed on me by the law.

Do you see a link between the radical policies you pursued as President of the NUS 30 years ago and what you are doing as Home Secretary now, or is the radicalism of your youth behind you?

Keith Flett, Tottenham N17

Yes, I'm still the same person.

Have Blackburn Rovers got any chance of staying in the Premiership?

Hugh Lawson, Romsey, Hants

Arithmetically, yes.

Is it true that you are the only male member of the Cabinet who can hold his drink?

Oliver Goodman, Staffordshire

I've no idea.

How do you unwind at the end of a long day?

Nicole Lawson, Tunbridge Wells

With a good book.

Who is your favourite politician of all time?

Max Porter, Newbury

Nelson Mandela.

Would you advise your children to steer clear of politics?

Mrs McIntosh (No address supplied)

No.

When did you last use public transport?

Marcus Williamson, Camberley, Surrey

Last Friday.

Why have you changed your style of spectacles, lately?

Carla Gretton, West London

Depends what you mean by "lately". I changed to this style three years ago.

Would you like to be Prime Minister?

Zoe Carter, Leeds

There isn't a vacancy.

The Government says that it will accept refugees that have family ties to Kosovo Albanians in Britain. Given that there are 10,000 Kosovars in the UK already, why have we only accepted 300 since the bombing started?

Adam Lamb, Shropshire

We have said consistently that we would respond positively to any request from the United Nations High Commission on Refugees. We have now welcomed over 600 and are moving to accept 1,000 refugees a week.

The Government has also made over pounds 40m available to help refugees in the Balkans - one of the largest contributions by any state.

Do you see yourself as a socialist?

Teresa Garderner, Cardiff

Yes.

Have you ever taken an illegal substance?

Mark Parkinson, North Devon

No.

Would you ever publicly admit that you have made a wrong decision?

Margaret Gardiner, London NW3

Yes. The only people who never make mistakes are those who have never taken a decision.

In six words, how would you characterise the people of Liverpool?

David Mead, Wavertree, Liverpool

Feisty, with a great sense of humour.

Next Week

Linford Christie, followed by Dame Shirley Porter

SEND QUESTIONS for Linford Christie and Dame Shirley Porter to: You Ask the Questions, Features, The Independent, 1 Canada Square, London E14 5DL, fax 0171-293 2182, or e-mail yourquestions@independent.co.uk, by 12 noon on Friday 14 May