Ian Hampden:

Miss Prince, Miss Tappett, Mr. Biggs...

Well, I think everyone's here, except the Company Secretary, Mr. Buckhurst.

I'm afraid he can't join us this morning because he has to meet the Mayor for the opening of the new factory extension.

By the way, we'll have to be fairly brief if we're to be down there before eleven.

We don't want to miss the official opening, do we?

Roy Biggs:

No, we don't.

Ian:

Good.

Well, let's take the minutes of the last meeting as read, if you agree?

(Murmurs of assent.)

Now the first item on today's agenda arises out of the last meeting.

It was agreed by the Committee to collect reactions from the staff to the new canteen and the new serving counters, which were designed to speed up the rate of service.

Miss Tappett, you undertook to find out about this.

Miss Tappett:

Everyone seemed to be very satisfied, Mr. Hampden.

Ian:

Are there any complaints?

Miss Tappett:

Oh, there were a few silly ones, but nothing serious.

Most people think it's a great improvement on the old canteen.

Ian:

Good.

Next, the suggestion was made that all wages should in future be paid by cheque instead of in cash.

Mr. Biggs undertook to enquire into this.

Well, Roy?

Biggs:

I made quite extensive enquiries, Mr. Hampden.

Some people didn't object to the idea.

They understood the point about safety.

But the majority of people, especially the male staff, didn't want to hear about it.

They like to see their money.

Most of them asked when they'd have time to go to a bank.

Miss Prince:

Their wives could draw the money from the bank.

Biggs:

Most men prefer to handle their own money, Miss Prince.

Miss Prince:

In my view that is a very old-fashioned attitude.

Biggs:

Maybe, but that is the majority opinion.

Ian:

Well, I gather there's not much point in pursuing this matter, anyway for the time being.

Biggs:

No, not really.

Ian:

Well, next we come to the question of sports facilities, and I'd first like to make a statement about this.

As you know, the management is seriously interested in using the area of land beyond the new extension.

One suggestion is that some form of sports ground be provided.

They ask the Welfare Committee to make recommendations.

As a preliminary I think we should put forward our own views on the matter.

Roy, perhaps we could start with your opinion.

Biggs:

I think, if there's enough money that the land should be levelled and made into a football field.

The majority of employees are men, and football is their favourite sport.

I strongly recommend a football pitch.

Miss Prince:

It's true, Mr. Biggs, that there are more male than female employees in this firm, but still, there are a lot of women.

I think it would be most unfair if the men were given special treatment in this way.

Ian:

What do you think, Miss Tappett?

Miss Tappett:

Me?

Oh, I really don't know.

Well, speaking for myself, I rather like things as they are.

It's nice, with the trees and the grass at lunchtime.

Biggs:

I think we should ask for suggestions from everyone first.

Then we can take a ballot.

Miss Prince:

But if there's a ballot, the majority wins.

I think more interest should be taken in minority opinions.

Ian:

Maybe we can do that, depending on the cash available.

But the first thing is to get information.

Roy, would you be willing to make yourself responsible for getting suggestions from the staff?

Biggs:

Yes, all right.

Ian:

Fine.

Oh, look, it's ten to eleven.

I think we'll have to adjourn if we want to hear the speeches.

I think we've settled most of the business.

Now we'd better fix the date of the next meeting...

(At the official opening of the new factory extension.)

Hector Grant:

Mr. Mayor, ladies and gentlemen.

You all know what this little ceremony is about; to launch this new extension.

But before I call upon the Mayor, Alderman Ridley, to perform the ceremony, I would like to tell you some thing about the state of our company and what we hope to do in the future.

It's sixty years ago to the day that the late Mr. Harper and my father first started (Mr. Grant's speech continues.)

At the annual general meeting of Harper & Grant, held this morning, the necessary resolutions were passed to allow a substantial increase in our authorised capital and to change the articles so that the shares of the company may be freely bought and sold on the open market...

We're going public.

Voice:

What about the workers?

Grant:

Anyone will be able to buy Harper & Grant shares.

But we are proposing to issue a special class of share, with all the rights attaching to the ordinary shares, which can be bought and sold by employees only, at a price below the open-market value.

We want all employees to have the chance to participate in what we are all sure will be the successful future of their company.

As we continue to stride forward, we must keep a fair balance between the perhaps somewhat conservative wisdom and care for detail that comes with experience, and the adventurous spirit of high endeavour.

With your help, success will be assured. (Applause.)