Day 006 - 05 Jul 94 - Page 10

     
     1
         Q.   Is it true that it says under Recommendations:
     2         "Consideration should be given as to how employ
              participation in health and safety can be improved"?
     3        A.  I think that is a perfectly logical, sensible request.
                We involved our employees, we have employed our
     4        employees in the past, we have involved our employees in
              the past and do currently -- I imagine we always will  --
     5        as to how can we in their minds how we can do better. It
              is an intrinsic part of the McDonald's management style.
     6
         Q.   Did you take part in the production of this report?
     7        A.  I do not remember.  I may have been interviewed as
              part of it, but I do not recall.
     8
         Q.   Are you aware of the national status of this body, the
     9        Health & Safety Executive Accidents Prevention.
 
    10   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Can we just look at page 873?
 
    MR. MORRIS:  Yes.  It does say:  "Persons interviewed:
              President and chief executive".
    12        A.  All right, then I was interviewed.
 
    13   Q.   Are you aware of the status of this body?
              A.  I could not put it in words of one syllable.  No,
    14        there is certainly an organisation charged with improving
              safety standards in the United Kingdom, a government
    15        organisation, I would guess, but as to their status, which
                governmental department they come under, I am not sure.
    16
         Q.   Would you say that it would be reasonable to describe them
    17        as the foremost statutory authority in the country for
              monitoring and improving standards in businesses?
    18        A.  I have no way of knowing. They are a Health & Safety
              Executive.  I would guess they are one of many
    19        organisations concerned with it; whether they are the
              foremost or not, it is beyond my capacity to determine.
    20
         Q.   If we move on from that, let us have a look at -- just let
         me collect my papers.  If you feel that there is, from
              your reports from -- I forget the name of the chap?
    22        A.  Andrew Taylor.
 
    23   Q.   -- That there is a problem in one region, would you take
              action in terms of safety standards?
    24        A.  First and foremost, I very much doubt whether there
              would ever be a health and safety problem which covered an
    25        entire region.
  
    26   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  It would more likely if there was cause for 
              concern it was a certain kind of equipment or floor 
    27        coverings or furnishes?
              A.  Or a problem in a specific store that had arisen for
    28        special circumstances.
 
    29   MR. MORRIS:  Have you ever had problems in a region that you
              know of with safety, I mean safety?
    30        A.  We have certainly looked at and talked for years about
              anti-slip surfaces.  I am not sure it was because someone