§ 24. Mr. GAVAN-DUFFYasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the unemployment benefit of Joseph Hornby has been disallowed owing to the fact that, on the 4th April, in company with other members of the Egremont Fire Brigade, of which he has been 16 years a member, he helped to extinguish a fire which had taken hold of a private dwelling, and for which service he received the usual gratuity of 5s.; that because of this his benefit has been disallowed and will he inquire into this matter?
§ Mr. SHAWI find that Mr. Hornby's claim for benefit was disallowed for one day by the chief insurance officer on the ground that on that day, for which Mr. Hornby received payment for his services as a member of the Egremont Fire Brigade, he was not unemployed. This decision was upheld on appeal to the Court of Referees. I have no power to alter this decision, but in order that a final and authoritative decision may be obtained I am arranging for a formal appeal to be lodged with the Umpire.
§ Mr. GAVAN-DUFFYIn view of that answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on tree Estimates.