Squatters' Rights and Duties Much may be said—and so far
has not been said—in condemnation of the squatters who in the last few weeks have been occupying Government buildings and sites in various parts of the country. In the first place, one of the camps at least is scheduled for other pur- poses.; that at Chalfont St. Giles had been prepared for the Italian wives of Polish soldiers. Second, some of the sites appropriated are unsuitable, and there are or soon will be hygienic difficulties. Third, and perhaps most important of all, if the sites are suitable, the squatters may be taking the places of families who have prior housing claims. Fourth, though some of the squatters are imposing discipline on themselves, setting up committees and collecting token rent, such informal self-government cannot be expected to cope with all the difficulties that will arise. But the chief complaint is that in a society based on law the squatters, like the " vigilantes " of a few months ago, have ignored that law ; they have invaded property that is not theirs. It may be argued on the other side that they have provocation ; they have seen themselves houseless and Govern- ment buildings empty. When an Army site becomes redundant, Government departments are first asked if they need it, and, if not, the Ministry of Health with the local authority considers if it is fit for housing. All this takes time—sometimes an unconscionably long time. Army huts occupied by squatters near Salisbury have been empty six months. The situation is embarrassing for thc authorities involved, for, though they talk of ousting squatters whehe other families have greater needs or the camps are unsuitable, it is not easy to move people once established—as the long history of squatting in this country shows. A compromise is probable. In any case, speedy action is necessary—first to provide proper services for the squatters allowed to remain and, secondly, to survey and dispose of other redundant Government premises to prevent furabee groups from taking illegal possession.
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