Day 032 - 06 Oct 94 - Page 75


     
     1        maybe some yoghurt and some low fat cheese, and I followed
     2        that the next day by some steamed fish, matters of that
     3        kind, and so on and so forth throughout the week, I could
     4        in fact, of course, sit down to roast beef and Yorkshire
     5        pudding on Sunday, could I not?
     6        A.  I would hesitate to -- I do not know your weight or
     7        blood pressure.
     8
     9   Q.   I mean a hypothetical person, not me.
    10        A.  I am very reluctant to answer a question of that sort
    11        for the obvious reason that it does not look at trends, it
    12        does not look at tendencies, it does not look at any of
    13        the history or dietary patterns that are going on.  You
    14        are suggesting one particular dietary pattern which, to my
    15        mind, is highly unusual amongst the consumers of
    16        McDonald's, particularly those that we sampled in Peckham.
    17
    18   Q.   Are you saying that your pocket in Peckham is typical of a
    19        significant section of the population at large?
    20        A.  We believed it to be sufficiently significant to be of
    21        concern, yes, and hence, indeed, the author -- that is why
    22        the author went on to have a second look in Leeds.
    23
    24   Q.   Is there some kind of assumption, or was there some kind
    25        of assumption that what used to be called (are still in
    26        some quarters, I gather) the working classes are not
    27        sufficiently well aware of how to behave so they do not
    28        know how to look after their own health; is that the sort
    29        of assumption you are making?
    30        A.  I would not say they do not know how to behave, but I
    31        would say that it is unfortunate they are eating these
    32        foods to such a great extent.  Many of them are well aware
    33        that in their view these foods are of poor quality,
    34        nutritionally.
    35
    36   Q.   The picture you are trying to paint is of, let us say, a
    37        down-trodden, over-worked single mother living somewhere
    38        in Peckham whose snivelling little brat squeaks and whines
    39        and says:  "I want to go to McDonald's" and she has not
    40        either the willpower or the wit to prevent it?
    41        A.  I think that would be grossly unfair on the mother to
    42        describe her in that way.  But I am trying to paint a
    43        picture of a large number of people who find this a cheap
    44        and convenient meal, and because of that they should be
    45        offered something more healthy.
    46
    47   Q.   What credit do you give to the average citizen of this
    48        country for looking after his own health interests and his
    49        own children?
    50        A.  The best that they can in the face of very difficult 
    51        circumstances. 
    52 
    53   Q.   Such as?
    54        A.  Such as the promotion and encouragement to eat by the
    55        food industry of certain foods, such as the foods
    56        available, the pricing of those foods in their local
    57        area.  There are various factors that influence choice, of
    58        which their own beliefs in health can only play a part,
    59        and I would say the responsibility of those who provide
    60        the foods.  I think the supermarkets offer a good example

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