HOUSING FOR SQUATTERS

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24983, 18 September 1946, Page 7

HOUSING FOR SQUATTERS

Demand By Trade Unions USE OF VACANT PROPERTY (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 1.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 17. The Engineering and Allied Trades Shop Stewards’ National Council has called on the Government to requisition all vacant property for squatters and threatened to withdraw their support for a production drive if the squatters were evicted from luxury flats/“reserved for wealthy parasites,” which the squatters rightly occupied. A party representing 10,000 de Havilland aircraft workers and the firm’s motor accessory company this morning marched down Whitehall shouting slogans and carrying a banner worded, “De Havilland Workers Demand Full Facilities for Squatters." The police headed off the party and a deputation called on the Ministry of Health and left a petition for the Minister.

A deputation of squatters from Fountain Court waited at No. 10 Downing Street this afternoon and received from the housekeeper a letter from the Prime Minister (Mr Attlee) saying that he was unable to see them. x

The leader of the deputation said that he had hoped to present a petition with 2000 signatures, asking that Fountain Court should be provided with electricity and other amenities. The deputation will now refer Mr Attlee’s refusal to a full meeting of the Fountain Court squatters. The Minister of Health (Mr Aneurin Bevan) and the Minister of Works (Mr George Tomlinson) have agreed to meet a London Trades Council deputation on Wednesday on the subject of squatting. Arthur Jenkins, aged 20, who was charged with obstructing the police at Fountain Court, where he continued to unload furniture for squatters after he had been ordered to cease by the police, was bound over to keep the peace for six months. Holyrood House, Scotland, is being guarded, says the “Daily Express,” after reports that the palace is listed by squatters.