46. Mr. T. WILSONasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the present cost of living, any consideration has been given to the case of persons entirely dependent upon the receipt of benefit under the Workmen's Compensation Act; and whether the Government will consider the justice of amending the Workmen's Compensation Act in the direction of raising the maximum benefit payable in proportion to the increase in the cost of living?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am afraid that I cannot contemplate the introduction of a Bill in the sense suggested by my hon. Friend, who will doubtless remember that the cost of workmen's compensation both to the Government and to other employers of labour has been very greatly increased by the general increase in wages since the outbreak of war, and that the persons dependent on benefits under the 943 Act are by no means alone in suffering through the decreased purchasing power of money resulting from enhanced prices.