Day 143 - 27 Jun 95 - Page 59


     
     1   Q.   Note there you are saying McDonald's is one of the
     2        country's largest employers of young people; not
     3        franchisees and what have you.  The point is, Mr. Stein,
     4        that whenever you feel franchisees are doing something good
     5        you want to take the credit for it, do you not, but
     6        whenever you feel they are doing something which will
     7        attract adverse publicity you want to deny all
     8        responsibility?  Is that not correct?
     9        A.  I disagree with that.
    10
    11   Q.   It is also correct, is it not, that you actually have a
    12        clause in the franchise agreement that if the franchisee
    13        does anything which might attract bad publicity to the name
    14        of McDonald's, you can terminate the franchise agreement?
    15        A.  I am not an expert on franchise agreements.  I think
    16        from day one I have said that whatever is in there is in
    17        there.  Whatever the correct interpretation is that is
    18        fine.  I am not an expert on the franchise agreement.
    19
    20   MR. MORRIS:  Dealing with another pleading which is No. 103,
    21        I will read it out for Mr. Stein's benefit.
    22        A.  Which book are we referring to?
    23
    24   Q.   I will read it out.
    25
    26   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  It is in the Abstract.  It is quite short.
    27        Mr. Morris will just read it out to you.
    28
    29   THE WITNESS:  Well very.
    30
    31   MR. MORRIS:  "In August 83 in the United States there was a
    32        strike by staff at Hardman's Bakeries Corporation of
    33        Meridian who McDonald's supplies.  McDonald's showed
    34        hostility to trade union calls for support by increasing
    35        their orders to the company, therefore, encouraging the
    36        hiring of strike breakers."   What do you know about this
    37        dispute or this situation?
    38        A.  Very little.  I question whether or not it was a
    39        dispute.
    40
    41   Q.   What do you remember about that situation then?
    42        A.  I do not remember very much.  All I know is that
    43        Hardman's Bakery I believe was a supplier of the Southern
    44        part of the US, but I am not aware of any dispute involving
    45        Hardman's.
    46
    47   Q.   Regarding pleading No. 16, again I will read it out, it is
    48        only a short one.
    49
    50   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  16 is rather longer, is it not? 
    51 
    52   MR. MORRIS:  I will summarise it then. 
    53
    54   MR. RAMPTON:  No, my Lord.
    55
    56   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I think it is better if you just look at it.
    57        I always find it much easier myself if I am reading as well
    58        as listening.  Page 6 in tab 7, it actually starts at the
    59        top of the page.  Ask your question, Mr. Morris.
    60

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