Updated 10 June 2003, 08.26

Are star players like Becks paid too much? And what about the small clubs struggling to survive?

How much should we pay for football on TV?

Footie-fan politicians are starting an inquiry into all these things next week.

Supporters from Man Utd to York and Wimbledon are going to report on how they'd like things to change.

Lots of politicians are huge footie fans - so hopefully they'll come up with some good ideas.

10-year-old Steven Percy was at the prime minister's home as part of a meeting to encourage kids to play tennis.

Seems Steven was tempted to give Mr Blair a shock.

But in the end he decided against whacking the prime minister with his racquet!

Name:
Charles Clarke
Age:
52
Where are you from?
London
Party:
Labour - Mr Clarke is education secretary, the man in charge of your schools!
School nickname:
Big ears
Greatest achievement:
Becoming Secretary of State for Education
Inspiration:
Willy Brandt, who was the social democratic Mayor of Berlin and Chancellor of Germany.
Last movie I saw:
Chicago
Football team:
Norwich City
MP I admire:
David Blunkett - the home secretary in charge of law and order
Were you interested in politics as a child?
Yes
Job before becoming an MP?
Business consultant.
Why does politics matter?
Because it is the means of enabling society to change in a way which is accountable and effective.
What one thing would you change tomorrow?
I would increase the amount of energy generated by sustainable sources and reduce the proportion of journeys made by car

Becki also asks: How did you decide that this is the job that you wanted to do? I was active in politics ever since university, in a variety of different ways, and I increasingly felt that I could be a good member of parliament and effectively pursue the political changes I support.
Is it hard work preparing speeches to persuade people to your side? The main hard work in any speech is to be clear about what I want to say, once that is sorted out everything else is fairly straightforward argument.

More Info

Photos of the top MPs

How does Parliament work?

Past Stories
	The MiP files: Learning in your living room!
	The MiP files: Targeting the litter louts!
	The MiP files: Ban for TV ads aimed at kids?
	The MiP files: The man in charge of the money
	The MiP files: Bend it like Becks - at school!
	The MiP files: How many PCs in your school?
	The MiP files: How much should teens be paid?

Web Links
	UK Parliament site for kids
	Hansard Society kids' politics site
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