§ 99. Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the appeal of Mr. William Perkins, aged sixty years, an employé of the Blackburn Corporation gas department, to the Court of Referees (Case No. A830), to have a free certificate, was refused because he declined to accept work as a labourer at Gretna on account of his age; that he was suffering from a bad cough, had never been away from home, and did not feel disposed to leave his wife at home alone; and if he intends taking action?
Mr. RUNCIMANI assume that my hon. Friend's question relates to a workman, named Walter Perkins, lately employed by the Blackburn Corporation, whose claim for unemployment benefit was disallowed on the ground that he had refused an offer of suitable employment at Gretna. An appeal against the disallowance, made by the National Union of Gasworkers and General Labourers, on the grounds set out in the question, was considered by the Blackburn District Court of Referees on the 26th April, and the Court recommended by a majority that the disallowance should be confirmed. The Board of Trade have no power to reverse the recommendation of the Court of Referees, but the association concerned have a right of appeal to the Umpire. No question of a leaving certificate was raised in this case, as the workman was unemployed.