• WHO pays for “rectifying” the Chalcots building defects?

It is a temptation to blame the problems with the Chalcots blocks on something universal such as in the last column of your editorial (Comment, November 28) that “Grenfell was a crime caused by profit. So, too, the Chalcots has been a crime against Camden”.

One might as well try to blame and penalise human nature if nothing more specific emerges as responsible. Luckily the centre of your Comment asks more pointedly “Who signed off this building work? Heads should roll”.

At the time of construction there was an organised system whereby professionals employed by Camden Council had the jobs to specify, cost, inspect and “sign off” the work (that is, agree that it was properly done according to contract).

In the light of later tragedies the earlier specifications for the Chalcots (and very many blocks, around the country) are being changed, from the earlier conventions.

It remains to sort out whether the employed professionals at construction time were negligent, according to the requirements of their time, or whether the employer (Camden Council) takes (and now pays for) the responsibility for the cost.

It will be a service to the people of Camden (and likely, learned by many other councils) if you return to this problem until it is peacefully resolved.

MALLORY WOBER
Lancaster Grove, NW3