h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm not denying that this is a factual and relevant Entry and well done to the author, but I'm just a little bit concerned that a conversation I started earlier on the dark side of Marks and Spencers appears to have dissappeared. Specifically, I referred to the needless destruction done to what was left of Britain's textile and clothing manufacturing industries, by M&S deciding to "outsource" production to the Far East. I know I didn't imagine this, as there was an outcry at the time, it made the news, and the relevant unions organised a letter-writing campaign and consumer boycott of Marks in protest. Marks' decision ultimately had a detrimental effect on up to ten thousand jobs in Britain, and to firms who had loyally supplied them for years, so this was not small beer.

This was not libellious or ill-founded in fact, and in my opinion represents valid and legitimate critical comment on the Marks group.

I deliberately left out other criticisms which have been made of Marks and Spencers, as I don't know nearly enough to be able to substantiate them.

It appears my posting was pulled, but I've not received any sort of email to confirm this or explain why.

As I say this concerns me: where a big multi-million pound retailer is concerned, are we only able to publish positive and uncritical comment on it? Will Guide entries need to be pre-censored by the subject company first, and approved by them, until they become nothing more than PR releases?

I'm not happy with this.

Sorry that you feel this way but as the title says the history, I didn't intend to write about all the pros and cons. I think that if you want to write about it then please but I think that the entry has covered the main parts.

What conversation are you talking about? Did you raise this point in Peer Review?

Hello AgProv,

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h2g2 Editors

Hi AgProv

Sorry to hear your posting was pulled. Your arguments are invariably well-crafted and worth listening to, so I regret not being able to read it. I guess you must have strayed too far down Libel Road for the BBC's liking, and in these days when the spotlight is firmly on them, you can understand them not wanting to take chances.

Maybe there's a case for writing an alternative entry on the effect of global sourcing on the British textile industry. I'd be happy to assist (and I have access to some newspaper archives which may be of use). Let me know if you would be interested.

Icy