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
