Day 021 - 29 Jul 94 - Page 24

     
     1        of the fact it was the first one to express the
              recommendations in quantitative terms it received
     2        considerable publicity and has been used -- it was used
              quite widely in the subsequent period after its
     3        publication.
 
     4   Q.   Going a little bit wider than just dietary
              recommendations, talking about the relationship between
     5        diet and disease, are bodies such as NACNE and the Health
              Education Authority, for example, bodies that are well
     6        respected?
              A.  Yes, I am sure that NACNE would be well respected
     7        amongst nutritionists and people involved in health
              promotion.  The Health Education Authority I would say is
     8        reasonably well respected as well.
 
     9   Q.   Do you know about ---?
              A.  Of course, that does not necessarily mean that
    10        anything the Health Education Authority says in relation
              to dietary recommendations would have the same authority
         as a specific committee that was set up with the necessary
              expertise to provide recommendations.  The Health
    12        Education Authority, in my understanding, is primarily to
              promote health.  It is not really their role to evaluate
    13        the scientific literature.
 
    14   Q.   But do you think they print things that are completely out
              of synch with general thought at the time?
    15        A.  I think on the whole they would do their best to
              reflect that, but I think the records show that sometimes
    16        they do upset governments.
 
    17   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  There may be nothing wrong with that!
 
    18   MS. STEEL:   Have you heard of the Cancer Education
              Co-ordinating Committee?
    19        A.  No, I have not.
 
    20   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  What was that one?
 
    MS. STEEL:   The Cancer Education Co-ordinating Committee and
              Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.  These
    22        bodies, do you think they are fairly responsible?
 
    23   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Do you know anything at all about the Cancer
              Education Co-ordinating Committee?
    24        A.  No.
 
    25   MS. STEEL:   Well, taking the other one.
  
    26   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  MAFF itself? 
  
    27   MS. STEEL:   Yes, and the Health Education Authority and
              NACNE.  Do you think they are responsible bodies?  They
    28        would not be making wild statements?
              A.  In what context?
    29
         Q.   They would not be making wild statements without any
    30        reason for it?
              A.  I do not think they would, no.