FLAT COMMANDEER

Evening Star, Issue 25894, 11 September 1946, Page 7

FLAT COMMANDEER

Another Squatter Invasion Urged On By Communists (Rec. 11 a.m.) LONDON, September 10. Squatters to-day moved in to Fountain Court, an eight- ' story block of flats at the junction of Buckingham Palace road and Pimlico road. The flats, which were requisitioned by the Ministry of Works, are at present being repaired. Seven women and pne male squatters entered Fountain Court this morning and were immediately locked in a small room by officials. They were still there this evening. Guards were placed on the doors to prevent anyone entering or leaving. Crowds outside the flats climbed the parapet and handed m food and drink to the squatters through a fanlight. One woman said they were advised at a meeting of Kensington squatters last night that- the Fountain Court flats were empty, so they decided to move in this morning. Before the fanlight was closed another squatter said: “ We intend to stay until something is done for us.

Feminine Infiltration

This afternoon the Communist Party’s loud speaker van drew up outside Fountain Court and called on citizens needing homes to go to the City Hall in a body to-night. “The homeless have stood enough,” said the speaker. “ Ex-servicemen must be rehoused, and it should be done in such places as Fountain Court.” More women, many with prams and babies, infiltrated into the flats through the back entrance during the address. '

i Later reinforcements of squatters arrived at Fountain Court from all parts .of Westminster. Women climbed the spiked iron railings and crawled through a broken window. At least 50 people spread through the block within 20 minutes. Most of the latest arrivals have been on the Westminster Council’s rehousing list for years. ’ As the courts are on vacation, the Ministry of Works is applying immediately before a judge in chambers for possession of the Duchess of Bedford House. , The Home Secretary (Mr Chuter Ede) and the Minister of Works (Mr G. Tomlinson) have prepared a full report for Cabinet, which will study it on Thursday. The Attorney-General (Sir Hartley will advise what legal action can best be taken to prevent the spread of unlawful commandeering to other parts. The Minister of Works has served 24 notices on the Kensington flat squatters that the Ministry’s furniture would be removed from the Duchess of Bedford House to-morrow. Mr Henderson, secretary of the Bedford House Squatters’ Committee, said a meeting of squatters would be held to-night to decide what action would be taken in view of the Government’s decision to take legal action. jJ' We do. not-anticipate that, force will be used'to evict the people, and have

consequently made no arrangements to resist such action,” he said. The Communist Party, in a statement, declared that the party and the Kensington squatters had taken this action to force the authorities to make full use of their powers in requisitioning vacant property for the homeless. It drew attention to the fact that the Kensington Council declined to requisition property when given the opportunity to do so. The Communist Party ivas willing to furnish the council with the addresses of many other places suitable for requisitioning. A Communist Party delegation, including Mr P. Piratin, M.P., called on Mr Bevan and were received by his secretary. The deputation left a lengthy statement attacking the West London local authorities for acting as if the bousing emergency had ended. The statement suggested that the Ministry of Health should step in to ensure the' immediate requisitioning of Bedford House and other empty flats and houses.

Seven members of the Pioneer Corps have, been detailed to; guard Chequers against squatters. This precaution followed a report that the squatters pjanned to take over 20 Army huts, of which the nearest is only 60 yards from Chequers The 1 Daily Mail ’ says Cabinet takes the view that it is essential to conceal from the squatters’ leaders the steps which are beiug taken in order to foil them. The position is that if the squatters succeed in installing themselves a court order is necessary to get them out. It is, therefore, unlikely that Cabinet will announce its plans for stopping squatters getting in. The ‘ Daily Herald ’ says police cars to-night toured all streets within five miles of Westminster, on the watch for would-be squatters trekking towards empty houses. The police were ordered to try to make the squatters see reason. , The ‘ Herald ’ says the patrols were part of Cabinet’s scheme.