Day 005 - 04 Jul 94 - Page 77


     
     1   MR. RAMPTON:  Or, my Lord, numbers of staff employed too.
 
     2   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Yes, that is I thought I included as well.
              If there is a document somewhere that says "do not pay
     3        more than this" or do not have more than so many people in
              that position", then you press your point.
     4
         MR. MORRIS:  But the main question I am asking Mr. Preston is
     5        that he did not feel this was a situation which merited
              national interference or analysis in the region?
     6        A.  I do not understand in your point, but it was
              investigated by the police and handled most
     7        professionally.  My people involved took the necessary
              statements.  I am convinced from what I have been told
     8        there was no reason to go any further.  As far as I am
              concerned, senior management in the company were doing
     9        exactly as I myself would have done in their relationship
              with the store, how was business, how are you doing, are
    10        you growing, are you on your plan, how is the store down
              the street doing, how are you doing in relation to them,
    11        drawing out natural comparisons.  But I think that is the
              1990's way of doing business, calling forth to your
    12        strengths, trying to expose your weaknesses and move
              forward accordingly.
    13
         Q.   If we go to another matter which is the area of safety
    14         -----
 
    15   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  It is a quarter past 4.  Do you want to do
              this one this evening or how long do you think it will
    16        take you?
 
    17   MR. MORRIS:  It is up to everybody else.  I am happy to
              continue.
    18
         MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Can you do it in ten minutes or will you
    19        need more than that?
 
    20   MR. MORRIS:  We are in your hands really.
 
    21   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  We will go on for a few minutes and see how
              you do.  If a time comes when -- I am not going to sit
    22        beyond beyond half past 4 -- if a time comes when you
              would rather break off before then you tell me.
    23
         MR. MORRIS:  The issue I was going to go on to is probably a
    24        bit too important to rush through.  Maybe we could do deal
              with a few bits and pieces, interlocutory.
    25
         MR. JUSTICE BELL:  You want to deal with points with me? 
    26 
         MR. MORRIS:  Yes. 
    27
                             (The witness withdrew)
    28
         MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Have you told Mr. Rampton about the matters
    29        you are going to raise?
 
    30   MR. MORRIS:  No.  They are sort of bits and pieces that have
              been brought up before, ongoing things really.  One of the

Prev Next Index