7 SEPTEMBER 2002, Page 55

Q. I have been invited to appear on Question Time.

I am loath to make the journey to somewhere like Sheffield or Middlesbrough and to have to join someone like Ann Widdecombe or Jo Brand for dinner unless I am handsomely rewarded. Unfortunately the person who approached me did not mention money and I did not like to ask what sort of fee I could expect. Mary, do you have any inside knowledge?

Name and address withheld A. The fee payable is £100 'disturbance allowance', plus the cost of first-class travel to the provincial venue and a taxi to take you home.