§ Mr. O'GRADYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether 1699W he is aware that a Hindu student named Basudeva Bhattacharyya, refusing to give an assurance to keep the peace, arising out of the Lee-Warner assault case, was sent to Pentonville Gaol; and that this student, being a Brahmin, could not partake of the ordinary prison diet and asking for Hindu diet was refused; if so, will steps be taken in cases of the kind that arrangements be made to supply the necessary diet?
§ Mr. GLADSTONE:The answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. It is not the case that the prisoner asked for Hindu diet and was refused. As soon as the prison authorities were aware that the prisoner was a Hindu inquiry was made with a view to ascertaining whether the ordinary prison diet was incompatible with the prisoner's religious tenets. He stated that he could not eat meat, and arrangements were at once made for him to be supplied with a diet consisting of rice, potatoes and bread. The prisoner stated that he was satisfied with this diet, and that he had no complaints to make with regard to his food. All possible care was taken by the prison authorities to prevent the prisoner being required to take any food which was incompatible with his religious tenets, and the like care will be taken if any similar case should occur in the future.