Day 006 - 05 Jul 94 - Page 75
1 Mr. Beavers gave evidence? You were I think?
A. I may have been. I was not here for all of it, but
2 I was here for most of it, yes.
3 Q. Did you hear what Mr. Beavers said about the book "Behind
the Arches" by John Love?
4 A. He was asked some questions about it. I do not know
whether he himself made any comment other than in response
5 to your questions, but, yes.
6 Q. Right. But, generally speaking, he felt it was -- I do
not know whether really the word was "propaganda" on
7 behalf of McDonald's but a fair representation.
8 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I asked him if it was a plug for McDonald's
and he said it was favourable to McDonald's, or words to
9 that effect.
A. As I remember the story behind the book and the terms
10 on which it is was commissioned by the Corporation, it was
to contain the good bits, the not so good bits, the out
11 and out warts. It was meant to be a complete story as
true as it could be told at that moment in time.
12
MISS STEEL: Right. So you think it is a fairly accurate
13 history of the company?
A. I think it is fairly accurate, yes.
14
Q. Is there anything in the book that sticks out in your mind
15 as being blatantly untrue?
A. I have not read it in years, I am sorry. I do not
16 recall anything that is blatantly untrue.
17 Q. If I read out some sections, I mean perhaps you will say
if you think it is blatantly untrue or something. Is that
18 all right?
A. As long as we keep it in context sure. Do I get o
19 look at the book at the same time?
20 MISS STEEL: I think there may be problem.
21 MR. MORRIS: I have a copy of book but the trouble it has all
my top secret notes in it for cross-examination later on.
22
MR. JUSTICE BELL: If you are going to ask witnesses about
23 "Beneath the Arches" what I suggest you do is you
photocopy the pages you are going to ask about and you can
24 mask your -- have you written your notes in the margin or
in between the lines?
25
MISS STEEL: In actual fact, you see, it is listed in the index
26 as being in the trial bundles but for some reason not the
whole book has been copied.
27
MR. JUSTICE BELL: I am not criticising you for the situation
28 we are in. I am working out a plan for the future. Can
you mask your notes and still produce a useful photocopy
29 of a particular page?
30 MR. MORRIS: Maybe it would be worth asking the plaintiffs if
they have a copy in their library.
