Day 123 - 09 May 95 - Page 10

     
     1
     2   Q.   Fair enough, I take that point, that is your point, but it
     3        has been the subject of criticism for being unhealthy as a
     4        kind of food that you are promoting, rightly or wrongly?
     5        A.  We have been criticised wrongly, as was the case with
     6        the devastation of rainforests.
     7
     8   Q.   It is a fact, is it not, or are you aware of the fact, that
     9        there have been official committees set up to look into the
    10        possibility of banning children's advertising in America?
    11        I cannot remember the name of the committee now?
    12        A.  I am aware of the fact that committees have been set up
    13        to review the use of children's advertising content and the
    14        amount of advertising directed at young people.
    15
    16   Q.   Do you recall a particular committee -- this is from
    17        recollection -- we have had evidence in the case about it,
    18        or we have had comment about it -- which actually
    19        recommended the banning of advertising to children in
    20        America, and then there was a great deal of debate and the
         bans were withdrawn; do you recall that?
    22        A.  Specifically, I do not recall the specifics of that.
    23        I do know that there have been elements in the community,
    24        or in the community in the United States, that did not
    25        approve of children's advertising.  On the other hand,
    26        there were others that did not take that same view.  So, it
    27        was a matter of debate and continues to be a matter of
    28        debate, in America.
    29
    30   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  It may seem trite to say so, but when you say
    31        "America" I am going to assume you mean the United States
    32        of America, unless you say to the contrary.
    33        A.  Yes.
    34
    35   Q.   Is that right?
    36        A.  Yes, my Lord, United States.
    37
    38   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I only say that because you obviously have
    39        some responsibilities outside the United States?
    40        A.  Canada, yes.  Being more specific, I have referred to
         the United States.
    42
    43   MR. MORRIS:  Just going back to the food issue, you are aware,
    44        are you, of the Surgeon General's report, I think it was
    45        1989, around that time, on the links between diet and
    46        cancer, which firmly linked some elements of diet as a
    47        cause of cancer?  Are you aware of that?
    48        A.  I am aware -----
    49
    50   Q.   Would McDonald's be aware of that when it came out? 
    51        A.  Pardon? 
    52 
    53   Q.   Would McDonald's have been aware of that when it came out?
    54        A.  I am aware of the fact that there have been a number of
    55        studies conducted into the impact of diet as a cause of
    56        cancer, yes.
    57
    58   Q.   Moving on to the animals' situation:  presumably, there is
    59        a great deal of criticism in America from some quarters
    60        about the use of animals in food products and the