Day 074 - 16 Jan 95 - Page 21


     
     1        of the charity to build a gymnasium for Fairfield, I think
     2        it is, Fairfield Day Care Centre.
     3
     4   Q.   It may be suggested, Mr. Siddique (and I would like you to
     5        comment on this) that all those contributions in their
     6        different forms which you are making to the local community
     7        in Barnet are just publicity stunts so that you can
     8        increase the business of your franchised restaurant
     9        environment; is that true or false?
    10        A.  That is not true because I think working with the
    11        community, that is how I have been brought up in
    12        McDonald's, that always takes the top priority.  Even Paul
    13        Preston or Andy or Sid, whoever, they always keep community
    14        before the profits and so, myself, it is not a PR
    15        exercise.  Had I spent that money on advertising, I would
    16        have perhaps got better results, financial results, but
    17        because community pays for our livelihood, it is our --
    18        I think we are under a moral obligation to put something
    19        back into the community.
    20
    21   Q.   I expect you would probably agree that it does no harm to
    22        the business if you have goodwill in the local community?
    23        A.  Pardon me?
    24
    25   Q.   I am sorry, that was not very well put.  Would you agree
    26        with me that it does not do your business any harm if the
    27        local community are well disposed towards you?
    28        A.  Could you kindly rephrase that?
    29
    30   Q.   I cannot go too far; I think perhaps I will leave it there.
    31
    32   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  It is being suggested that, whatever your
    33        initial motive in making your contribution, financial
    34        contributions, for instance, or being a trustee of the
    35        Mayor's charities, that might help your business as well?
    36        A.  I think it is people's perception, how they look at
    37        it.  The way I look at my involvement and my wife's
    38        involvement is because we do love -- we have come up from a
    39        different level.  There were times when we did not have
    40        money or as such, so basically we know those and remember
    41        those days.  So, the need to help the needy, I will not,
    42        I think, have built my empire on somebody else's
    43        disability.
    44
    45   MR. RAMPTON:  Thank you very much, Mr. Siddique.  Would you
    46        please remain there while you are cross-examined by the
    47        Defendants?
    48
    49   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Shall we have our five minute break there?
    50 
    51   MS. STEEL:  Is it possible to have ten minutes? 
    52 
    53   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Yes.
    54
    55                       (Short Adjournment)
    56
    57                    Cross-Examined by the Defendants
    58
    59   MS. STEEL:  Mr. Siddique, you said you have worked at McDonald's
    60        since January 1978?

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