Labour Council snubs tenants

The Newsletter, vol. 6 no. 275, 1 December 1962 · scan page 5

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THE Southwark Borough Council in South London, which is 100 per cent Labour, has finally replied to the tenants of Blendon Row, Southwark, who are demanding to be rehoused.

They gave this reply not to the tenants direct but to the local paper, which printed it under the heading 'Why vociferous tenants of Blendon Row are not so badly off'.

The tenants, say the council, cannot take priority over others who have been on the housing list for a number of years.

There are people living in even worse conditions, they state, and even if they did demolish the buildings there would not be sufficient space on the site to rehouse everyone.

Mr. R. Lake, secretary of the tenants' committee commented: 'They say we aren't so badly off. We try to keep our places nice, but no amount of paint stops the bugs from coming back every summer.' Said another tenant, 'I wish we couid get some of these councillors to live here for a few days. They'd run out screaming?

The Borough Council claim that it would cost them about £120,000 to take over the buildings They say the landlords have agreed to make certain improvements so the Council will not proceed with action against them.

They really believe that the landlords are prepared to spend the sums required to make these places habitable.

Tenants should demand to know from the Borough Council: what loans they are repaying and at what rate of interest; if the existing site is not big enough why they can't acquire the large bombed-site at the back of Blendon Row; how many houses are standing empty in Southwark because of the high prices at which they are being offered for sale?

The tenants are not satisfied with the reply of the council. They intend to hold a meeting to discuss proposals for further action, including an offer from the Southwark Trades Council to help them organise a meeting of representatives of the trade unions, Labour Party and tenants in die area.

PUBLIC MEETINGS Falkirk MARXISM AND THE TRADE UNIONS Speaker:

(National Secretary, Socialist Labour League) lay, December 9, 2.30 p.m. it Hall, 11 Calander Riggs, Falkirk (at bus station)

Glasgow OCIALIST POLICY TO EAT UNEMPLOYMEN] Speaker:

G. HEALY (National Secretary, Socialist Labour League)

nday, December 9, 7.30 p.m.

Woodside Hall, Clarendon Street, St. Georges Cross, Glasgow Registered at the G.P.O. as a newspaper Published by The Newsletter. 186A Clapham High Street, London, S.W.4