READERS' LETTERS Norkers defence and nuclear power

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17 Dishergate Hill Preston last issue of Socialist Press 1S correctly stated that* the facists are not just racialists They want to break up the whole labour movement. But Saturday showed that it is possible how to organise workers defence squads capable of defending black workers, labour movement , premises, meetings and picket lines from fascist attacks"

In the same issue a call is issued == lobby the TUC on seven demands.

We were amazed to see that the i==a-i ic build workers defence Sai sao: inluded in it.

i: agee with your position on i su are unable to under*: * to demand has been T: W51 should continue with = = = convey the vital = = the creation of committed groups of =ape teady to take a stand against this threat, which has, till been underestimated.

If fascism is not halted now in its incubationary period, all other measures taken by the TUC to ensure the economic and social security of its members will eventually become insignificant and subordinate to the overwhelming rule of the extreme right: and on that day the voice of the TUC itself will be silenced.

There must be a strong, vociferous and forceful lobby on September Sth which will clarify and rectify a matter that is of paramount importance-to ensure that the building of workers defence squads is accepted a: the official policy of the TUC Z.Farooq E.Aktal B.Lusk M.Taylor Dear Comrade Editor:

Id like to expand on SO me points made in John List er's artI cle Atomic Power (SP 31 Aug '77).

I agree that uncritical opposition to atomic power is not the correct socialist line to take.

The real problem is how to build safe nuclear reactors, and insistance on that rather than a total ban, is much more an essential part of the fight for safe working conditions"

A few more : words about achieving that-the government in Britain already spends a great deal of money investigating safety in connection with nuclear energy, and is willing to spend even more money implementing their tindings.

here 1s a government department called the National Radiological Protection Board involved in this.

However, until their research is brought under worker control its value is limited.

Some of the work done at NR Is secret.

The reason for this is that it involves research and data gathering on workers who are known to have received many times the permitted amount of radioactive substances whilst working in restricted areas.

While this research is of value for future workers' safety, it implicitly admits that these people are owed compensation for any injuries, or potential for injuries, in the form of cancers, which are known to result from overexposure to ionising radiation.

The government is willing to go to any expense to avoid compensating workers this way.

C.S. Oxford.

LETTERS Readers letters on articles appearing in Socialist Press or on current issues are welcome.

Letters should be kept brief as possible and sent to :

The Editor Socialist Press 31, Dartmouth Park Hill, London NW5 1HR