HC Deb 30 October 1919 vol 120 cc919-20W
Mr. ROSE

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the fact that workmen's compensation was based upon pre-war wages, that the maximum allowed was 20s. per week, that during the War this was increased by 25 per cent., making a maximum total of 25s. per week, and that corresponding payments for fatal accidents are still made on the pre-war wage basis, the Government are contemplating any amendment of the law in this respect in order to make compensation payments correspond more fairly with prevailing conditions of wages and prices?

Major BAIRD

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. As stated in the answer given on Monday last to a question by the hon. Member for the Ogmore Division, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary hopes to be able to introduce very shortly a Bill to increase the amount payable under the Workmen's Compensation (War Addition) Act, 1917. The question of the permanent revision of the scales of compensation both in fatal and non-fatal cases must await the Report of the Departmental Committee on Workmen's Compensation, which is conducting a careful and thorough inquiry into the whole subject.