Day 260 - 11 Jun 96 - Page 18

     
     1        and I was surprised that it was accepted, as no one knew
     2        who on earth I was.
     3
     4   Q.   Were you surprised that the views of someone was so new
     5        could carry that much weight?
     6
     7   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Well, what is it going at, the diversity of
     8        views or -----
     9
    10   MR. MORRIS:  I am not worried about the content.  I am
    11        saying -----
    12
    13   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Because it was so democratic, or what?
    14
    15   MR. MORRIS:  Yes; that people's contributions should be equally
    16        considered, even if they are someone who has just walked in
    17        the door and nobody knows them.
    18
    19   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I just wondered whether there was some
    20        special point in relation to an issue in this case.  But
         there we are.  Anyway, he was surprised.
    22
    23   MR. MORRIS:  But that kind of situation, where somebody can make
    24        a contribution even if they are only at the first meeting,
    25        and it would be listened to, that was the general feature,
    26        was it, of meetings throughout the time you attended?
    27        A.  Yes, I would say so.
    28
    29   MS. STEEL:   In the notes of 24th May, it says: "I attended this
    30        week's meeting at 19.30 hours to find only two people
    31        present, Anthony of Finsbury Park and Jonathan of
    32        Southall."  Again, Anthony of Finsbury Park is
    33        Mr. Pocklington, who is here in court today?
    34        A.  Yes, I assume so, yes, as far as I can recall.
    35
    36   Q.  "These two were engaged in answering correspondence from
    37        various sources.  Most of the letters appeared to be
    38        answered by enclosing an existing leaflet on the relevant
    39        subject."
    40
         What you are referring to there, do you remember whether or
    42        not that included anti-McDonald's leaflets?
    43        A.  I cannot remember.
    44
    45   Q.   On that occasion?
    46        A.  No.
    47
    48   MR. MORRIS:  Can I ask a legal question?
    49
    50   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Yes. 
    51 
    52   MR. MORRIS:  The witness has stated that these were notes made, 
    53        you know, contemporaneously or the next day, or something,
    54        and that this is the basis of his memories and, indeed, the
    55        statements that have been made.  So, do we need to ask him
    56        formally whether -- for example, if we read something out,
    57        that they were answering correspondence from various
    58        sources, do we have to say to the witness each time: "Is
    59        that your recollection", or do we just assume, can we
    60        assume that if we read something out, it will be the