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     If this be not feasible we strongly recommend that the 6 ozs. of dal be
reduced to 5 ozs. per man daily.

     The dietaries we recommended would, therefore, be:—

I.—Lower Bengal Jails.

II.—Behar Jails.

     The usual condiments, etc., as at present in use.

     4. We have discussed these diets from the standpoint of the interests of the
prisoners, and have brought forward evidence to show that the suggested changes
are entirely to their advantage, and to the benefit of their general health. This
we consider is the all-important consideration, as it would be no saving to the
State, to look at the problem from the economical point of view alone, if a reduc-
tion in the cost of dieting were made, and it entailed greater sickness or any lower-
ing of the general health. Fortunately, in this matter the interests of the prisoners
and of the public, who have to pay for the prisons, are not at variance, for
we are able to suggest much superior types of diet which will cost the State
less than at present.

     The general effect of our suggestions would be to decrease the quantity of
rice all over Bengal by 6 ozs. per man daily. The other changes from the point
of view of cost may be neglected, as the addition of wheat ata would counter-
balance the decrease in dal in Lower Bengal; however, if fish were procured by
prison labour there would be a distinct gain in both Bengal and Behar. On the
whole there would be a saving of one-fourth the cost of all the rice consumed.