LONDON SQUATTERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 September 1946, Page 7

LONDON SQUATTERS

Unionists’ Intervention r ails » NEW' HOUSING DRIVE (Recd. 11 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 18. A deputation representing more than 600,000 unionists Called on the Minister of Health, Mr. Aneurin Bevan, and the Minister of Works, Mr. George Tomlinson, to-day to ask that the squatters should be permitted to remain in the places at present occupied or that they be provided with other accommodation. Mr. Bevan said he would refuse to permit the squatters to remain as their presence was illegal. He told the delegation that for some time lie had been urging the Westminster, Maiylebone and Kensington Councils to take more vigorous action in rehousing. The leader oT the deputation said after the .meeting that he was confident there would be changes in the handling of the housing situation. Mr. Bevan had promised greater pressure on building trade black marketeers and closer scrutiny of. licences issued for repairs. Mr. Bevan told the deputation that The local authorities in. London held 57,000 requisitioned properties, accommodating 91,000 families, which meant that one in 30 o.L London families were living in requisitioned property.

About 400,000 people, Mr. Bevin also ‘■aid had been provided with homes in the London region during the last--16 months as a result of repairs, to war damaged houses, the conversion of large houses, house requisition and the erection of temporary huts. It was estimated that accommodation tor nearly 100,000 more people would be made available by the end of December. Mr. Bevan td-morrow will address a conference of building trade operatives, which he has called in order to discuss plans for a new housing drive. All the squatters from Abbey Lodge evacuated the ibuilding this morning. Thirty drove off in taxis and cars with piles of bedding. While the squatters rendered homeless by the Court’s order are awaiting homes, the Government and the London Countj Council have arranged to accommodate them temporarily in rest centres used during the war for blitzed families. It is estimated that there are 1500 squatters involved. ‘•The Court decision makes it impossible for our elected leaders to stay .here,” said the squatters’ committee at Bedford House in a statement. “We will march out on Friday. ' We came in together and have decided to go out togethei. We ask for a rest centre to be put at the disposal of the great majority who have nowhere 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 urgency that London’s homeless shall be housed. We deplore the inhumanity of the law which can act so on behalf of property and .against the wel'are of human beings.” Marching'Out To-morrow. 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. “Six Hundred Rooms" Vacant. Why be Homeless?” flapped forlornly from the first floor of the deserted building.

Downing Street Statement. 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 t-he orders when they are due, and the police will be called in if any breach of the peace then occurs. The suspension of orders for three days is to enable the occupiers to leave the premises voluntarily.