Defend Council Housing

[msbrown at boltblue.net]

Austin Mitchell MP introduced an adjournment debate on council housing 
last Tuesday. The full text and the government’s response can be read 
from a Stop Press link at the top of the DCH website 
( http://www.defendcouncilhousing.org.uk/ ). 

The most interesting part of the reply from Under Secretary of State, 
Tony McNulty, was the challenge to critics to "take part in the full 
debate that will unfold from mid-January". 

The lobby is the perfect opportunity for all of us who believe in 
council housing to present our case and bring pressure to bear on 
government to agree direct investment with no strings attached. 

Birmingham tenants are outraged that after voting 2 to 1 only eight 
months ago the Birmingham Housing Commission, appointed by the council, 
is proposing that one third of homes should be transferred. 

UNISON and GMB have already booked a coach each from Birmingham to 
ensure tenants and their members can get down to the lobby of Parliament 
on January 29th and we already know of other transport from Liverpool, 
Manchester, Wirral, Stockport, Newcastle, Doncaster, Wakefield, 
Sheffield, Bristol, Colchester, Sandwell, etc. We want to publish an 
updated list of transport on the website so please ring/email in details 
as you make arrangements. 

We are currently sorting out speakers for the rally at Westminster 
Central Hall. Gerald Kaufman, the Labour Minister for Housing in the 
1970s will join other MPs, tenants reps, Dave Prentis (UNISON), John 
Edmonds (GMB) Jon Thompson (UCATT) and Jack Dromey (TGWU). 

Please contact your MP to make an appointment and ask them to sign EDM 
116 on Council Housing. 



Keep DCH informed of any appointments and transport arrangements you 
make.