Day 132 - 07 Jun 95 - Page 14


     
     1        people are getting a large amount of money.  I do not
     2        really think that that is fair.
     3
     4        I feel that it is material to a witness's evidence how much
     5        they are obtaining, both working for the Company in
     6        general, and also how much they are being paid to prepare
     7        their report for this case and give evidence in this trial,
     8        because it is relevant to how independent they are and,
     9        obviously, how that affects the evidence that they are
    10        giving.
    11
    12   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I rule against you on that.  It is
    13        unavoidable knowing what crew people are paid because there
    14        is a direct issue in this case as to whether their pay is
    15        low or not.  If any crew member came into the witness box
    16        and objected to saying how much they actually earned,
    17        I would consider the position again.
    18
    19        I do not consider it is necessary for me to judge the
    20        credibility of Mr. Purslow's evidence or those other
    21        witnesses, such as Professor Wheelock, in respect of whom
    22        the same such topic has arisen, to know how much they earn,
    23        either net or gross, or how much they receive in fees from
    24        McDonald's once I have been given an indication of the
    25        proportion of their income which comes from McDonald's and
    26        I have heard the whole of their evidence, their answers to
    27        various questions from which, in fact, I am far more likely
    28        to be able to judge whether they are being partial or
    29        impartial in any event.
    30
    31        On that basis I adhere to my ruling and you must observe
    32        it.
    33
    34   MS. STEEL:   I just feel that the fact that witnesses are not
    35        willing to reveal the amount they are getting means they
    36        have, obviously, got something to hide.  I think that is a
    37        reflection on their evidence as well, because if they had
    38        nothing to hide they would be quite happy and proud to
    39        stand there and tell us.
    40
    41   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Address that to me as comment, if you wish,
    42        in due course, but you must observe my ruling.  Mr. Rampton
    43        has no difficulty observing rulings when I make them
    44        against him, and you must act in just the same way as
    45        advocates.
    46
    47   MR. MORRIS (To the witness):  You said that shoes and the
    48        footwear that the employees wear is very important in terms
    49        of the accidents?
    50        A.  It is important in preventing slips, yes, indeed. 
    51 
    52   Q.   So if McDonald's do not give them footwear, why do they not 
    53        give them some kind of -- what is the word -- vouchers or a
    54        payment for that purpose, and then all the workers at
    55        McDonald's would have to buy specific shoes that would be
    56        recommended by the Company; have they considered that?
    57        A.  I have no idea.  All I can say is that is not normally
    58        done in industry.
    59
    60   Q.   Have you advised them of the benefits that that could

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