Day 065 - 09 Dec 94 - Page 61

     
     1        at that seminar and I was one of those people there.
     2
     3   Q.   And you read it?
     4        A.  Oh, indeed.  I have studied it with great interest.
     5
     6   Q.   Its conclusion or its main conclusion -- perhaps I can put
     7        it this way so as we do not have to go through it in
     8        detail -- was that the dominant influence in children's
     9        food choice was the parents, was it not?  That is what its
    10        conclusion was, was it not?  You have got a copy because
    11        I have provided one.
    12        A.  Yes, I also had a previous copy.
    13
    14   Q.   I did not know that.
    15        A.  I am referring to the copy I think we all have here.  I
    16        would like to say something I think that does have a
    17        serious bearing.
    18
    19   Q.   Perhaps you could answer my question first, then you can
    20        speak for as long as you like.  Its main or principal
         conclusion was that the dominant influence in children's
    22        food choices was the parents?
    23        A.  This is what this particular piece of research
    24        concluded.
    25
    26   Q.   Yes, thank you.  Now say whatever you want.
    27        A.  OK.  This research was presented at the Peterhouse
    28        seminar as has been correctly stated.  It was presented in
    29        a way that discussion was invited after the presentation.
    30        Firstly, it should be pointed out that this research was
    31        sponsored and paid for by the Advertising Association which
    32        has made clear its particular views in this area.  What
    33        was, I think, very surprising for a piece of research of
    34        this nature was just how much comment and criticism it
    35        elicited at that conference.
    36
    37        A wide range of criticisms were levied at this research,
    38        not from just public health researchers who, you may feel,
    39        might be more likely to criticise it, but also by other
    40        academic researchers who were there, also some people who
         work within the industry.  I would like to point out some
    42        of those criticisms which not only I but other people there
    43        felt raised serious questions about the conclusions that
    44        this research came to.
    45
    46   Q.   Who is Peter Stratton?
    47        A.  Dr. Peter Stratton runs The Psychology Business.
    48        I understand The Psychology Business is a commercial
    49        organisation within an academic institution, I understand.
    50 
    51   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Psychology Business -- that is a title, is 
    52        it? 
    53        A.  I believe that is the title.
    54
    55   MR. RAMPTON:  It is the name of a unit, my Lord, at Leeds
    56        University.
    57
    58   MS. STEEL:  It is actually The Psychology Business Limited.
    59        A.  It is a commercial organisation.  Unfortunately, a lot
    60        of academic institutions these days have lost a lot of