Day 047 - 07 Nov 94 - Page 19

     
     1        from time to time.
     2
     3   Q.   In what way has the advertising -- or in what way has the
     4        climate changed in relation to food advertising, in
     5        particular, to children?
     6        A.  I do not believe it has changed substantially, but
     7        pressure groups, such as those who you may know, have
     8        raised questions about the subject.
     9
    10   Q.   So there are concerns being raised?
    11        A.  You use the word "concerns".  Points of view are being
    12        raised, yes.
    13
    14   Q.   You would be aware of the Health of the Nation paper, would
    15        you not?
    16        A.  Indeed.
    17
    18   Q.   I presume you are aware that the government's Nutrition
    19        Task Force has made advertising, in particular to children,
    20        a priority area for action?
         A.  They have listed it as one of the areas that they want
    22        to study in detail.
    23
    24   Q.   Right.  So does not that show that there is concern about
    25        advertising of food, in particular to children?
    26        A.  Clearly, the people responsible for raising these
    27        issues, they have some concerns, yes.
    28
    29   Q.   That is the government, the Nutrition Task Force?
    30        A.  The Nutrition Task Force is an off-shoot of part of the
    31        government, yes.
    32
    33   MR. MORRIS:  Now, the Health of the Nation, would you say that
    34        the concerns expressed in the Health of the Nation are
    35        serious concerns about public health?
    36        A.  Of course.
    37
    38   Q.   I think the Health of the Nation document has been
    39        described as "a milestone", where the government is
    40        actually making recommendations on health and food choices.
         Would you see it that way?
    42        A.  I do not know about the milestone but, certainly, it is
    43        a significant event.
    44
    45   Q.   It is a shift in public opinion or in----
    46        A.  I do not think it reflects public opinions.  I may be
    47        splitting hairs.  It reflects the opinion of those people
    48        who are on the Nutrition Task Force.
    49
    50   Q.   It is been adopted by the government, has not it -- 
    51        formally? 
    52        A.  It has been published by the Department of Health, yes. 
    53
    54   Q.   So would you say the opinions in the Health of the Nation
    55        would guide any responsible food company in some way?
    56        A.  Yes.  They would be among the factors to be taken into
    57        account.
    58
    59   Q.   Well, McDonald's has formally accepted the recommendations
    60        of the Health of the Nation.