Day 102 - 13 Mar 95 - Page 64
1 MS. STEEL: Yes.
2
3 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Did you actually ask to speak to the doctor?
4
5 MS. STEEL: I do not know who I spoke to. It was whoever was
6 arranging the appointments.
7
8 MR. JUSTICE BELL: If you are arranging medical appointments in
9 the future I would be grateful if you would try to speak to
10 the doctor. If you have this kind of difficulty I would be
11 very grateful if you would let me know so that I can speak
12 to the doctor or get someone in authority to speak to the
13 doctor. It may be he will not be able to help, but it is
14 surprising how often they are able to help if they realise
15 the cost and public money involved if court time is lost,
16 even in a very long case.
17
18 MS. STEEL: I was hoping that we would be finished in time for
19 me to go.
20
21 MR. RAMPTON: My Lord, it is not just court time, I know that is
22 important, I am not diminishing that in any way at all, but
23 there is the convenience of witnesses. Dr. Pattison cannot
24 be here on Wednesday. He has been cross-examined now for
25 four days. He has been in the witness box for four days.
26 Mr. Don Bennett to accommodate the Defendants and your
27 Lordship's wishes has re-arranged his whole schedule so
28 that he should be here on Wednesday. It is, in my
29 respectful submission, quite intolerable that Ms. Steel
30 should not seek a medical appointment, let us say, in the
31 first three days of next week when there will be no
32 evidence at all.
33
34 MS. STEEL: If Mr. Rampton wants to know what I was told was
35 I would not get an appointment this year unless I take this
36 cancellation.
37
38 MR. JUSTICE BELL: In that case I would like you to give the
39 doctor's telephone number to Mr. Stiles so Mr. Stiles can
40 telephone him. I will come back at a quarter to five when
41 that has been done.
42
43 MS. STEEL: I have not got the telephone number on me.
44
45 MR. JUSTICE BELL: Give Mr. Stiles the name and address.
46 Mr. Stiles will find it and give him a telephone call. This
47 is not to put you under pressure and I am not blaming you
48 for it, but it is a difficult situation. Mr. Stiles'
49 telephone call will be perfectly pleasant. He will explain
50 the situation and he will see whether there is any
51 reasonable alternative which can be achieved. I will come
52 back quarter to five.
53
54 (Short Adjournment).
55
56 MR. JUSTICE BELL: I think Mr. Stiles has told you what he
57 discovered on the telephone?
58
59 MS. STEEL: Yes.
60
