Will March Out On Friday

Chronicle (Levin), 19 September 1946, Page 5

Will March Out On Friday

Press Assn.

result of court action

5 yt Telegravh

-Copyright

Received Wednesday, 7 p.m. LOXDOX, Sept. 17. Mr. Justice Wyn-Parry, in the Vacation, Court, granted an interim inj.unction to the Ministry of Health restrainLng four squatter ddfendants in thq D.uehess of Hedford'.s hpuse in Kensington from occupyiug the premises. Counsel for the Ministry described the occupation as a " serious action of extreme illegality. ' ' The proccedings for the injun.ction; did no.t imply a waiver of the Minister 's right to eject squatters. It was biought in. order that the legal positioit uould be made clear to the sq-uatters "in other premises and to show that they w.ere iiivolved in a serious civil liability to pay damages whi.ch became larger the longer they remained. The interim injunction would restrain a eontinuation of illegal acts until the t.rial of the action. "This i>s a matter of great publie interest and national importance as such act's preve-nt those in charge of housing carrying on the plan with order and reguia'rity and face them with confusion and anarehy. Mr. justice Wynn-Parry who directed that. the order lie in the ofiiee for three days said in his judgiuent that none of the defenda.nts ' afiidavics disclosed anything j,ustifying their forcible entry or remaiuing in the flats. The dei'endants 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." . Later, the Judge adjourned the hearing against three of the defendants from Fountain Court and granted an interim injunction against four defendants fi'om Abbey Lodge, also against a woman defendant from other premises in Westminster. Couasel for the woman said she moved into the premises because she and seven children had been bitten 5(1 tinies by rats in the flat in which the Westminster Council housed her. ■ The Press Association says that High Court officers will seek to enforee the orders when they are due and the police will be called in if any breaking of tiie peace oceurs. The suspeusion of the orders for three days is to enable the occupiers to leave the premises voluntarily. When informed of tiie Court 's injunctious the squatters ' eoimnittee at the Duchess of Bedford's house issued a Statenient demanding alternative ac- ' comodation for the four against whoin the orders were issued, and expressing coniidence i.n the actions of organised woi'kers throughout London and Britain as a result of requisitioning the .Duchess of Bedford's house. Meauwhile those in Bedford House continue to F'pursne every possible cbannel for nefgotiation in a legitimate and organised ■ manner. ' ' DECISION TO MARCH OUT. The squatters' committee stated: "The Court decision makes it impos • sibie for our elected leaders to stay here. We will march out on Friday. We came in together and have decided to go out together. We ask that a rest ceufcre be put at the disposal of the great majority, who have nowhere to go." No. 10 Downiug Street issued a statement drawing the attention of the squatters to, the High Court order anu saying: "Those who have squatted in such premises no longer have any excuse for not reeognising the illegality of their action and should quit the premises at once." The stateinent will be posted inside all buildings oecupied by squatters. Twenty policemen rushed to the recently derequisitioned Piccadily Club following an anonymous teleplione call to Seotland Yard that squatters planned to occupy the premises. The policemen stayed there for an hour before witiidrawing,. but oue policeman remaanedv - • ' • . .