Day 172 - 12 Oct 95 - Page 06

     
     1   Q.   They are dated in May 1990.  Can you explain the
     2        circumstances which gave rise to these letters?
     3        A.  Yes.  It is quite common for companies to invite media
     4        representatives on trips abroad, sometimes in this country,
     5        to see their new factory -- maybe a cheese factory or a car
     6        plant, or whatever -- and it is known as a press facility
     7        trip.  McDonald's were footing the bill.
     8
     9   Q.   When you say "press facility", what do you really mean?
    10        A.  They do everything for you:  they buy the tickets and
    11        they arrange the hotel.  They pay for everything.  They
    12        take you and bring you back.
    13
    14   Q.   What is the purpose of that?
    15        A.  It is just known as public relations.  It may well be
    16        that they are hoping to get something nice out of it.
    17        Sometimes it is just their way of saying, "Please come and
    18        join us and we will show you our new factory", or
    19        whatever.  Most of the big companies do it; it is quite
    20        common.
    21
    22   Q.   How long did this trip last?
    23        A.  From memory, it was about three days, I think.  The
    24        purpose was not just to see McDonald's.  McDonald's was
    25        just -- obviously, from the Company's point of view, seeing
    26        McDonald's and Gorky Street was the highlight, but for the
    27        rest of us, obviously, seeing Russia was far more
    28        important.  They took us round all over the place.  It was
    29        a very enjoyable visit.
    30
    31   Q.   There were other -- it was not just you; it was a number?
    32        A.  About a dozen radio and television and newspaper
    33        people.
    34
    35   Q.   During this trip, did you have any conversations with
    36        Paul Preston?
    37        A.  Yes, I did.  I took the opportunity to tackle him about
    38        the Company's employment practices, particularly regarding
    39        the trade unions, because that was my speciality.  So
    40        I thought it was a good opportunity to have a word with him
         about it.
    42
    43   Q.   What did he say?
    44        A.  You appreciate that I did not have a tape recorder and
    45        I was not specifically there to write a story about that.
    46        But I got the distinct impression that they were a
    47        non-union company, always had been, always would be.
    48
    49   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Just pause.  I have to take a note, and you
    50        are in the driving seat now, so you can go as slowly as you 
    51        like to make sure I do get a note. 
    52 
    53   MR. MORRIS:  I am sorry.
    54
    55   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Bear that in mind.  I am taking a note.  Just
    56        pause there.  I have the help of the screen,
    57        Mr. Pattinson.  (Pause)
    58
    59   MR. MORRIS:  (To the witness)  You said: "I got the distinct
    60        impression that they were a non-union company, always had