Day 042 - 31 Oct 94 - Page 58


     
     1   Q.   Would you respect the views of one of the ronald mcdonald's
     2        if they had some views about what they were doing?
     3        A.  I mean, in terms of what they feed back, of course,
     4        they are dealing with the people, the children, in the
     5        front line.  Normally, the sort of thing that comes back is
     6        something to do with magic tricks that they want improved
     7        or something that would enhance their show.  It is very
     8        much to do with that kind of area that comes back.
     9
    10   Q.   So, in terms of, say, you being stuck in an office and they
    11        are out there actually communicating directly with kids,
    12        they would have something valuable to contribute really?
    13        A.  Of course, I mean, when I have been to see Ronald
    14        visits, I might observe certain things as well where you
    15        can see you could improve the visit.  So, I mean, I cannot
    16        be there all the time, so they feed that back through the
    17        normal course of events.  Most of them have been working
    18        with us for some time.  They actually know the restaurant
    19        managers; they know the people.  So, it is a very informal,
    20        continual improvement of the programme.
    21
    22   Q.   Right.  You said that these Ronalds are actually freelance
    23        or something, or you gave that impression; I do not know if
    24        I got the right impression?
    25
    26   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  What line of attack is that now?
    27
    28   MR. MORRIS:  I am just asking are they actually representing the
    29        company in some way?
    30        A.  When they are in costume, they are definitely
    31        representing the company, yes.
    32
    33   Q.   What about when they pass on information or their views to
    34        the company?  Is that just seeking outside ----
    35        A.  No, I mean, that is part of their job.  They take this
    36        job very seriously.  This is not something they just turn
    37        up and do.  They are being paid to take quite a responsible
    38        role in entertaining young children.  They feed back,
    39        accordingly, what they feel and what they think should be
    40        done to improve it or change it in some way.
    41
    42   Q.   But would they ever be asked to attend any meetings, any
    43        formal meetings, at head office or anything to put their
    44        views or not?
    45        A.  They have done that, yes.
    46
    47   Q.   At what level?
    48        A.  I have attended meetings where they have been at.  We
    49        also send them on European training programmes and
    50        international training programmes.  They become -- whilst 
    51        they may be on a fee basis for us, they become very much 
    52        part of McDonald's, as far as their performance is 
    53        concerned.
    54
    55   Q.   If you were to take their views seriously, would they
    56        actually attend, what, a management meeting or something of
    57        that kind?
    58        A.  On a general basis they would not, but if there was a
    59        specific reason why we needed to consult with them on the
    60        ground, if we were thinking of doing something radically

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