Day 005 - 04 Jul 94 - Page 48


     
     1        problems?
              A.  I disagree.
     2
         Q.   For whatever reason, you do not agree?
     3        A.  I do not agree.  The third parties whom we have
              consulted on the issue side with what I just told you.
     4
         Q.   If you felt that it was an environmental problem -- I want
     5        a "yes" or "no" answer.
              A.  I do not.
     6
         MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I am afraid you cannot demand that from a
     7        hypothetical question.  You can ask a hypothetical
              question, if you like, but it is up to the witness whether
     8        he answers it or not.
 
     9   MR. MORRIS:  Would you say your primary concern -----
 
    10   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  If it is a question of fact to which he
              knows the answer, then you can insist on an answer.
    11
         MR. MORRIS:  Is your primary concern in using packaging post
    12        consumer the environmental effect?
              A.  We take a total history analysis.  If I do what I do
    13        today versus china plates, knives, forks, which would in
              the opinion of independent third parties have the greatest
    14        effect on the environment, either positive or negative,
              universally they come down on the side of McDonald's:
    15         "Continue doing what you are doing; do not change; do
              knives and forks and you would take a step backwards".
    16
         Q.   When was the first independent research?
    17        A.  Back in the 70s, I believe.
 
    18   Q.   In the 70s?
              A.  I believe in 70 s; subsequently followed up on at
    19        least two or three occasions in recent years.
 
    20   Q.   So for 20 years, at least, McDonald's Corporation was
              using packaging, was it not, without knowing, in your
    21        submission, whether it was damaging to the environment as
              compared to a cafeteria?
    22        A.  I did not say that at all.  We know what we do
              currently is the least environmentally damaging option
    23        available.  That is what we move forward on.
 
    24   Q.   Just to point out one further thing on the last document,
              X3:  Would you support this statement by the Tidy Britain
    25        Group:  "The Group's view is that recycling  ... (reading
              to the words) ... by international disposal or the 
    26        disturbing economics of the recycling business".  Would 
              you agree with that statement? 
    27        A.  I agree with it, yes, basically.  It would be nice for
              the governments to co-ordinate.
    28
         Q.   Just one final question before Helen comes in on the
    29        subject -----
 
    30   MISS STEEL:  Mr. Preston, do you know how many people are
              served on average in a high street McDonald's store on a

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