BEDFORD HOUSE SQUATTERS

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24984, 19 September 1946, Page 5

BEDFORD HOUSE SQUATTERS

Decision To March Out RESULT OF COURT ORDER (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 12.30 a.m.) LONDON, Sept 18. Mr Justice Wynn-Parry yesterday interim injunction to the Ministry of Health restraining four squatter defendants in the Duchess of Bedford House, Kensington, from oc E^ yin M the Premises. AR e Court decision makes it impossible for our elected leaders to stay here, said the squatters’ committee at Bedford House in a stateWe wili ntarch out on Friday, •j ’* e ca me in together and have decided to go, out together. We ask for a rest centre to be put at the disposal of the great majority who have nowhero to go. “We are confident we have achieved our purpose. Those who were ignorant of . our Plight now know, and those who knew and ignored it are now shamed into a sense of London’s homeless shall be housed. We deplore the inhumanity of the law which can act so on behalf of property and against the welfare of human beings.’’ About 300 squatters will march out on Friday in accordance with the committee’s decision. •

After the surrender of the squatters in Bedford House, those in the Ivanhoe Hotel capitulated last night and withdrew carrying their few possessions. This morning a poster bearing the words, “Sjx Hundred Rooms Vacant. Why be Homeless?” flapped forlornly from the first floor of the deserted building. Counsel for the Ministry at the High Court hearing described the occupation of Bedford House as a “serious act of extreme illegality.” The proceedings for an injunction did not imply a waiver of the Minister’s right to eject squatters in other premises. . “This is a matter of great public interest and national importance, as such acts prevent those in charge of housing from carrying out their plan with order and regularity, and it races them with confusion and anarchy," said counsel.

Mr Justice Wynn-Parry, who directed that the order lie in the office for three days, said in his judgment that none of the defendants’ affidavits had disclosed anything justifying their forcible entry or remaining in the fiats. The defendants and everybody else concerned in the invasion had committed trespass. “If ever there was a case in which the Court should intervene at the earliest possible stage, this is the case.” he said.

Later, Mr Justice Wynn-Parry adjourned the heading against three defendants from Fountain Court and ! ranted an interim injunction against our defendants from Abbey Lodge, also against a woman defendant from other premises in Westminster. Counsel for the woman said that she had moved into the premises because she and her seven children had been bitten 50 times by rats in a flat in which the Westminster Council housed her.

A statement has been issued from No. 10 Downing Street drawing the attention of squatters to the High Court order and stating: *’Those who have squatted on such premises have no longer any excuse for not recognising the illegality of their action, and they should quit the premises at once.” The Press Association says that High Court officers will seek to enforce the orders when they are due, and the police will be called in if any breach of tjie peace then occurs. The suspension of orders for three days is to enable the occupiers to leave the premises voluntarily.