1000 Homeless Move In

Chronicle (Levin), 10 September 1946, Page 5

1000 Homeless Move In

Press Assn.-

^ETTLED IN TEN MINUTES

By Tei&graph

-Comjriqht

LONDON, Hept. 8. One thousand nomeless people deseended 011 a West London block of ? luxury flats today and took over the entire building within ten minutes. ■ Four hunclred families had settled in before the startled caretaker went ofl: to call the police. The flats previously belonged to the Duchess of Bedford, and are named Bedford House, in the Duchess of Bedford 's Walk, Kensington. FanriJies carrying bedding converged 011 Kensington from as far away as Stepney. The Press Association says the operation was organised 011 a grand scale. Parties met,. and flooded through the streets to their destination. They were mostly young couples, some women carrying infants. Outside the flats " there was a cavalcade of vehicles carry ing the elfects. Five hundred arr-ived after the first party settl,ed iu, only to flnd that there was 1x0 more room. Many who were disappointed remained outside in the rain while seouting parties inspected the neighbourliood with a view to ,further requisitioning, and by tonight nine more x'la^es in the same locality wej'e taken over, including Moray House, which was Lord llchester 's prewar home, in which 20 families were Distal led. A block of Marylebone flats was also occupied by families, who revelled in the possession of four- to live-roomed flats with tiled batlirooms and kitcliens. formerly occupied by the American forees, who left behind abuudant sup plies of coal, coke ainl flrewood. When the police arrived at Bedford House, tliey heJped the squatters and arranged for a supply of Jiot drinks. The building had been requisitioned for refugees from Gibraltar during the war, and was to have been returned to the owners after repairs had been carried out. A member of the London district Oonimunist Party (Mr. Denis Goodwin) said: "We have been waiting long enough for places such ' as this to be taken over for housing the homeless." Water and lighting are available in Ihe building, but there are no heating or cooking faeilities. The sc|uatters liave organised a comniittee for tlie fair distribution of accoimnodation. A total of slightly more than 1000 is involved in the squatting incidents. The squallers said they intend to stay unless altemative acconunodatioti is found for them. Oue of the Kensington houses had just been lavishly decorated. Tonight it is occupied by families containing ten, six and three persons. Three of the places occupied are ihe property of the klinistry of Worlcs to which it recently returned after war time use. A klinistry official said: " We can do nothing about it. They have gone in and temporarily must reniain there." A Ministry of Health spokesman said: "This is a form of qneue jumping. It is doubtful liow far public opinion will support the squatters. ' They moved into some preiaises earmarked for families who have been waiting a long time and who may be in even greater need of lionies than the squatters. ' ' The squatters were assisted by 500 helpers under the direction of the Communist Party who organised the opeiation. The Daily Express's political correspondent says it is thought the Government will order the squatters to get out.