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Date: 9 May 1912
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Date: 8 Jan 1988
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Born
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Died
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Created W. Lane-Petter, 'Annual Report' (c. October 1950) (FD 1/383).
Oct 1950
Description:'ANNUAL REPORT
This report covers the period from 1 September 1949 to 30th September 1950...
...
Monkeys
A number of monkeys arrived in this country in September 1949 from the Gambia. This had been reported separately. In view of the small expense involved, and the likelihood of being able to obtain primates more economically and in greater numbers from other parts of West Africa in future years, it was decided not to continue with the Gambia project.
An alternative source of West African monkeys is being exploited. In Sierra Leone is an annual drive of monkeys, which are slaughtered by the thousand in the interests of farming.'
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Created W. Lane-Petter, 'The Export of Monkeys from India: An Appreciation of the Attitude of the Indian Government', November 1955 (DO 35/8639).
Nov 1955
Description:'CONFIDENTIAL
THE EXPORT OF MONKEYS FROM INDIA
An Appreciation of the Attitude of the Indian Government
The Indian Government has decided that the export of monkeys for medical research shall continue, subject to regulations to ensure their humane treatment. This decision has been taken at the highest level, and has the support of the Prime Minister, in spite of strong opposition based on religious and ethical grounds. The Indian Government realise that it is no part their duty or interest to hamper medical research in other countries, more particularly as they are themselves relying to an increasing extent on the advances made elsewhere as well as in their own country for the control of indigenous disease and the raising of the standard of living of their own population.
This decision is, therefore, a matter of principle. The question of foreign exchange is insignificant in comparison for a total estimated annual export of 200,000 monkeys at Rs.25 each amounts to Rs.50 lakhs, equivalent to £350,000 in sterling or dollars. This is a small sum to be set against serious political opposition.
Although poliomyelitis is today not such a serious public health hazard in India as it is in the U.S.A. and U.K. the rise in the standard of living and of general hygiene which can be expected during the next five years or ten years is almost certain to be accompanied by a rise in the incidence of poliomyelitis; indeed the beginning of this rise in incidence has already become apparent in certain areas. It is therefore likely that India herself will, in the near future, have to consider measures against the spread of paralytic poliomyelitis.
Opposition to the declared Government policy may be expected to continue and this opposition will feed on any failures of the anti-poliomyelitis programme in other countries, and on any evidence of real or imagined inhumaneness in the transport or use of monkeys for the preparation of [sic] testing of vaccine or for other purposes. It is therefore vitally necessary that this traffic be conducted with every consideration for the welfare of the monkeys, and that steps be taken to prevent the recurrence of such accidents as that which occurred at London Airport on New Year's Day 1955.
Permission to export monkeys will be given on the understanding that they are for genuine medical research and for no other purposes. In particular there is a profound objection to their use for what may be called warlike purposes, such as the production and testing of new weapons. Although the Indian Government may require the nature of the research for which the monkeys are to be used to be stated in the application for an export permit, their officials will not look too closely into the actual use to which the monkeys are eventually put. Nor will they raise any objections to granting export permits to or on behalf of the Ministry of Supply, providing this Ministry states that the animals are for specified medical research. The Ministry, however, must be able to give assurance that this is the case, and that the monkeys are not being used for the development of new weapons or the testing of existing ones, and the Minister must be prepared to state this, if asked before the British Parliament. It is hardly necessary to add that such assurance will be accepted without question by the Indian Government. The onus of protecting the Indian Government against its critics in this matter is therefore placed on the shoulders of the British Government.
Regulations for the proper shipment of monkeys out of India are contained in the Gazette of India No. 269, dated 7th September, 1955. This Public Notice is not yet in force, and indeed its enforcement has been delayed chiefly on account of the specifications contained therein for the size of shipping crates. The dimensions specified, if adopted, would have the effect of seriously increasing the cost of air freightage without any real benefit to the monkeys being shipped, and discussions are at the present time going on about the possibility of altering these specified dimensions. If some alteration is decided upon, an amended Public Notice will be issued. Other provisions of the Public Notice are unexceptional.
In summary, it may be said that there will be no compromise on the requirement that monkeys may only be exported for medical research, and that it is up to the consignee to be able to give assurance in this respect. The humane treatment of the monkeys must also be assured at all stages of their journey, and the repe[t]ition of an incident such as occurred at London Airport on New Year's Day would almost certainly bring the traffic to an abrupt end. The attitude of the Indian Government is helpful and sympathetic and they will do whatever they can, in defiance of their own critics, to assist medical research in other countries, for they are under no misapprehension about the value of such research to the world in general and to their own country in particular. An appreciation of their own problems will meet with reciprocal understanding in full measure. The amount of foreign exchange involved in the export of monkeys in India, which are a serious agricultural pest, is likely to be of far greater economic value to the country.
This memorandum must be regarded as strictly confidential. If it were to fall into the wrong hands, much of it would undoubtedly be repudiated by the Indian authorities, with unfortunate effects on the supply of monkeys from India. It is suggested that its circulation should be carefully controlled.'
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Created William Lane-Petter, 'Memorandum on the Air Transport of Monkeys from India to the U.K.', 19th Oct., 1955 (DO 35/8639).
15 Oct 1955
Description:'MEMORANDUM ON THE AIR TRANSPORT OF MONKEYS FROM INDIA TO THE U.K.
'MEMORANDUM ON THE AIR TRANSPORT OF MONKEYS FROM INDIA TO THE U.K.
1. OBJECTIVE:
The standard of shipment of monkeys from India to the U.K. has, up till now, varied from fairly good to bad. The best shipments have shown a mortality little if any above zero during air shipment. But, even in the best shipments, the monkeys, on arrival in the U.K., have appeared poorly nourished and suffering from some effect of stress. They have taken a long time to come into good condition and, during the three months or so after arrival, there has been a varying rate of mortality. This is not only inhuman but also wasteful, for the greater part of the cost of monkeys arriving in the U.K. is made up by the cost of freight. It would be more economical and, of course, more humane to ensure that monkeys to be shipped were in first class physical condition, even though this were to add to their cost ex-India, and that the conditions of their shipment were of the highest standard. The objective, therefore, should be so as to arrange the supply of monkeys from India to the U.K. that the wastage, both before and after arrival in the U.K., was as far as possible eliminated, and that the conditions should represent an example both of efficiency and of humanity.
2. CAUSES OF DISSATISFACTION:
a) FROM TRAPPING TO CONCENTRATION AREA: Monkeys are trapped by various methods in different parts of India, notably in the U.P. After trapping, the monkeys are placed in bamboo crates, and are sent down to the Delhi area by road and rail. Some methods of trapping are more humane than others, but there is a temptation for the trappers to crowd too many monkeys into one crate; to put in monkeys of different sizes, so that the smaller or weaker ones suffer; and to give inadequate food and water to the monkeys while they are in the crates. It is usual for the monkeys, when trapped, to show evidence of chronic under-nourishment. After trapping, their conditions will further deteriorate;
b) CONCENTRATION AREA: On arrival in the Delhi area, they are received into a compound, belonging to one or another of the big monkey dealers. Here, it has been customary to release the monkeys into larger cages, containing twenty-five, fifty or more monkeys per cage, to sort these roughly by size, to remove the injured and sick animals and to provide food, water and hygiene. The dealers are more or less skilled in the care of monkeys under such conditions, but they [2-3] have little or any expert scientific knowledge, and they have not, so far, employed the services of scientifically trained people to help and advise them. The result is that infection present in a few monkeys is liable to spread at least to other monkeys in the same cage, and sick monkeys are only removed when their symptoms become obvious. By this time, they may have infected their mates with tuberculosis, dysentery, parasitic infection and other diseases. However, in such large groups, even though there is some attempt to sort the monkeys by size, the weak animals will not get as much food and water as they need, and they will not improve in condition as they should;
c) SPACE REQUIREMENTS IN TRANSIT: Within a short time of their arrival in Delhi, depending on the availability of air transport, the monkeys considered fit for travel will be packed into travelling crates, and taken to the airport. The crate now used by the best dealers is, on the whole, satisfactory, but there have been instances where even a well-constructed crate has been overcrowded, or else monkeys of different sizes are placed in the same crate. If care is not taken to avoid overcrowding, or to see that monkeys are [3-4] properly sorted by size in the crates, then further deterioration must take place during transport from India to the U.K.;
d) THE AIR LIFT: The Air Companies, in particular the B.O.A.C., have given much attention to the care of animals during their journey. They have always shown themselves ready to adopt any measures suggested to them, and, if their methods are open to criticism, it is not from lack of willingness to co-operate, but rather from lack of good advice. One or more animal attendants always travel with the animals, and provision is made for feeding and watering them, both in the air and during the intermediate stops. At intermediate stops, the monkeys are taken off the plane and suitably accommodated, the cages are cleaned and sufficient food and water are given. Nevertheless, there is almost certainly room for improvement in the care of animals actually during transit;
e) RECEPTION IN THE U.K.: On arrival at London Airport, the monkeys are nearly always taken into the airport hostel, which is run by the R.S.P.C.A. Here further care and attention are given until the monkeys are removed for distribution to laboratories in the U.K. Their stay in the hostel is a matter of hours only. However, even this delay is undesirable, for it is essential that the monkeys should stay no longer in their travelling crates than is absolutely necessary.
3. SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT:
a) FROM TRAPPING TO CONCENTRATION AREA: The steps that can be taken to improve the condition of the monkeys from the time they are trapped to their delivery to the Delhi area depends so much upon local circumstances that it is impossible to lay down any definite rules. It would be to the interest of the dealers purchasing animals from the trappers to ensure that, as far as possible, the monkeys are not overcrowded in their bamboo crates, that they are fed and - much more important - watered during this period, and that the length of this period is kept short as possible;
b) CONCENTRATION AREA: On arrival at the Dealers' compounds in the Delhi area, it is considered advisable that the monkeys should be put in twos or threes into small cages, rather than in larger numbers into bigger cages. This would, undoubtedly, add to the cost of accommodating them, and also to the labour of caring for them, but, if a serious attempt is to be made to control infection and to get the monkeys into good physical condition, this suggestion is absolutely necessary. This view is based on the knowledge and [5-6] experience of the members of the scientific staff of the Malaria Institute of India, who have great experience of this problem. It is necessary that the monkeys, while held in the dealers' compounds, should be individually examined by a qualified medical or veterinary man, in order to detect early signs of tuberculosis, dysentery and other infections. The proper sorting of monkeys into groups of two or three will also ensure that the monkeys actually take the food and water offered to them, and will, of course, reduce chances of infection present in one or two monkeys becoming widespread. Under these conditions, it is to be expected that the physical condition of the monkeys will improve rapidly, and that within three weeks or so they will be fit, well-nourished and ready for onward transmission to the U.K. Only monkeys that have put on condition [sic] during this stage should be shipped. Failure to put on condition during this convalescent period will also indicate some undiagnosed infection;
c) SPACE REQUIREMENTS: When the monkeys are ready to be shipped, they should be packed into their travelling crates in such a way as to avoid overcrowding and fighting and to ensure that they have facilities for being properly fed and watered. It should also be simple to keep the [6-7] cages cleaned while they are occupied by the monkeys. The design and dimensions of crates, and the number of monkeys per crate have been the subject of consideration both by the Indian Government and by the Medical Research Council. The experience of dealers and shippers has been valuable in this connection. While the recommendations concerning travelling crates should be sufficiently exacting to prevent overcrowding or other defects, they should, at the same time, give some latitude, in order to allow economic storage in the types of aircraft used for this traffic. Regulations based on cubic capacity rather than linear dimensions are more satisfactory. The exact observance of linear dimensions can result in an aircraft containing far fewer crates, while, at the same time, having much space unutilized. This adds considerably to the cost of freightage, without benefit to the animals.
...
4. RESULTS TO BE EXPECTED:
The above recommendations are, in many respects, radical. They will undoubtedly add to the cost of monkeys ex-India, due to the desirability of conditioning monkeys before they are shipped, instead of attempting to do so after their arrival in the U.K. However, since the total cost of monkeys in the U.K. is made up very largely by the cost of freightage, this should represent an overall economy, for it costs no more to ship a healthy monkey than it does a sick one. Moreover, under the new regulations, such as those recommended by the M.R.C., or those enforced by the Government of India, the cost of freightage is bound to be increased, and this once more stresses the importance of conditioning in India before shipment.
The wastage is not only represented by the number of monkeys actually dying within three months of arrival in the U.K. but also by the extra care and attention necessary for conditioning them after their arrival The result will be that the monkeys will cost perhaps one-and-a-half times to twice as much in the U.K.; but, if the above recommendations succeed in substantially reducing or eliminating the wastage, then both economy and humanity are well served. In this way, the objective, outlined under Section 1. of making the India-U.K. traffic in monkeys an example to be emulated by others in likely to be attained.'
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Created [W. Lane-Petter], Laboratory Animals Bureau: Director's Report for Period December 1949 - March 1950 Inclusive, [April] 1950 (FD 1/382).
Apr 1950
Description:'LABORATORY ANIMALS BUREAU.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT FOR PERIOD DECEMBER 1949 - MARCH 1950 INCLUSIVE.
...
Monkeys.
So far it has not been definitely decided whether to resume the Gambia project. The spring catching season - about March - has been missed, but it may be possible to send Mr. Irons, or someone else, out for the autumn.
In Sierra Leone there is an annual monkey drive organised in the interests of farming, in which some 15000-20000 monkeys are driven and slaughtered. It is being provisionally arranged to take advantage of this circumstance to obtain monkeys for those laboratories requiring them. Their cost will almost certainly be less than £5 each (home) and very likely appreciably so. There is more than a possibility that numbers of chimpanzees will be available from this source.
In view of the uncertainty respecting the Gambia project no approach has been made to laboratories in order to find out their primate requirements. As soon as a firm programme has been fixed, this will be done.
Dr. Pasricha of India House has been approached about the possibility of obtaining Rhesus monkeys from the hill districts of India he considers it likely that a regular supply could be obtained, but cannot yet give any estimate of the price.'
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Created [W. Lane-Petter], 'Progress Report 1949-50 of the Laboratory Animals Bureau (M.R.C. Laboratories, Hampstead, N.W.3.)', [October 1950] (FD 1/378).
Oct 1950
Description:'...
Monkeys
A number of monkeys arrived in this country in September 1949 from the Gambia. This has been reported separately. In view of the small expense involved, and likelihood of being able to obtain primates more economically and in greater numbers from other parts of West Africa in future years, it was decided not to continue with the Gambia project.
An alternative source of West African monkeys is being exploited [sic]. In Sierra Leone there is an annual drive of monkeys, which are slaughtered by the thousand in the interests of farming. Arrangements have been made this year to obtain some of these animals alive, and distribute them to various workers who have requested supplies. They are expected in this country about the middle of October (1950).
...'
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Created [W. Lane-Petter], 'Purchase of Monkeys in the Gambia,' 21st November, 1949 (FD 1/383).
21 Nov 1949
Description:'PURCHASE OF MONKEYS IN THE GAMBIA
...
The cost of each monkey separately crated is £1 15s. 0d.
Crate £4 17s. 3d.
£6 12s. 3d.
The cost of the six which travelled together was £9. 11s. 6d.
Crate £6. 9s. 11d.
£16. 1s. 5d.
The six monkeys separately crated were sent to Professor Zuckerman and the six created together to Professor Liddell at Oxford.
...
No further consignments will be despatched until the warm weather comes again and I told Lane-Petter that before Irons foes out to the Gambia again we should lay down a clear and simple drill for the reporting of the costs of each consignment. Crates must be returnable, otherwise their cost must be charged in full. In future, Lane-Petter will send out invoices with copy to us, payment to be made to this office.'
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Created [W. Lane-Petter], 'Medical Research Council: Report of Conference on the Shipping of Monkeys by Air from Overseas,' 18th July, 1955 (FD 7/1329).
18 Jul 1955
Description:'CONFIDENTIAL
...
The four organisations invited to attend accepted the invitation and were represented as follows -
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Mr. A.W. Moss - Chief Secretary
Major R.C.G. Hancock - Chief Veterinary Officer
Mr. F. Salmon - Manager, Animals Hostel, London airport.
The Research Defence Society
Dr. P. Eckstein, Department of Anatomy, Birmingham University Medical School.
British Overseas Airways Corporation
Mr. Engledew.
Shamrock Farms (Great Britain) Ltd.
Mr. E.V. Lonsdale.
...
2. Present position and need for recommendations:
Dr. Lane-Petter referred to the disaster at London Airport on 1st January as drawing attention to the conditions in which monkeys were travelling. In America great interest had been stirred up by the Animal Welfare Institute who had followed up their reports on the shocking condition in which monkeys were being received by constructive proposals for improvements in the size of cages, numbers of animals per cage, etc.
Now the demand was so great that inexperienced dealers were trading in monkeys and showing very little regard to fitness of the animals for export and their conditions of travel. An additional danger to the existing competitive undercutting amongst dealers was the possibility of airlines undercutting freight charges with corresponding worsening of conditions of travel.
... Dr. Lane-Petter had been greatly impressed on a visit to London airport by the arrangements made there by the R.S.P.C.A. for the care of monkeys in transit and by the efforts made by B.O.A.C. to ensure that the animals were transported as humanely as possible. It was felt, however, that satisfactory thought conditions were at London Airport, this was not getting at the source of the trouble and that there was an obligation on those using the animals to see that they were transported as comfortably as possible. The best means of achieving this seemed to the M.R.C. to call a conference representing animal users, experts in animal welfare and those responsible for transportation. The M.R.C. hoped that the outcome of the conference would be agreement on the best possible way of transporting animals from overseas and the formulation of appropriate recommendations to this end.
Mr. Whittaker drew attention to what might appear to be ommisions of interested parties from the Conference. The Council had purposely not invited representatives from the Commonwealth Relations Office and the Colonial Office though these Government Departments were aware that this meeting was being held. ... The Indian Government and the Governments of other countries or territories from which monkeys were being exported would be strongly recommended to issue permits for monkeys only to those who were prepared to accept the conditions and standards laid down. The Council were convinced that the Indian Government would prefer, for various reasons, not to have anything to do with the export of monkeys and would not themselves lay down standards for the issue of export permits, but there was reason to hope they would accept recommendations put forward from such a Conference as this and make the export of monkeys conditional upon these recommendations being adopted.
...
In general discussion it was clear that the meeting felt there was immediate need for recommendations on the shipping of monkeys by air. Mr. Salmon and Major Hancock, who had both had long experience in this field, drew attention to the rapid deterioration in conditions of travel since the steep rise in the demand for monkeys for poliomyelitis research which began in the U.S.A. about two years ago...
...
3. Recommendations.
In making recommendations the Chairman sounded a note of warning. It must be borne in mind that any standards laid down would concern only monkeys required by British users and monkeys transported by British air lines. It must also be remembered that the conditions laid down must not be so strict that the transport of monkeys would be lost to British air lines and diverted to foreign air lines with lower standards.
When the recommendations were submitted to the Indian and other Governments they might be asked to make them applicable to the export of monkeys to countries other than Britain.
There was general agreement that recommendations were required on all aspects of the trade in monkeys from catching to actual shipment. Specific recommendations were made as follows:-
(a) General requirements:
(i) No monkeys should be shipped under 6 months of age or under 4lbs. in weight.
(ii) That no obviously pregnant monkey be shipped.
(iii) That sexes be segregated.
(iv) That each cage contain only monkeys of uniform weight.
(v) That large adult monkeys be shipped in separate crates.
(b) Trapping: In India monkeys were netted and taken to Delhi. This might involve a journey of several days and it was desirable that proper attention should be paid to the care and feeding of monkeys at this stage to prevent debilitation.
(c) Holding: Monkeys were kept in Delhi in holding cages for approximately six or seven days and were sorted out in sizes and weights. This was in fact actual practice but it was desirable to include a recommendation for a seven-day holding period. There would, of course, be the risk of epidemics but this would have to be carried. So far as tuberculosis was concerned infection had been found to be less than one-half per cent if the monkeys were caught at a distance from towns but approximately fifty per cent if caught near a town.
(d) Veterinary certificates: There was a great need for appropriate recommendations regarding certificates of fitness for export. Certificates of fitness were known to be issued without sight of the animals.
(e) Cages or crates: The best cage at present in use seemed satisfactory and might be adopted as a standard and illustrated in the final recommendations. (Details:- Size 12" (deep) x 22" (high) x 36" (long), overall measurement; duckboard (not wire netting) flooring; wire netting front; no handles.
The cages should bear a clear note of the numbers and weights of the monkeys to be carried as follows:-
12 monkeys at 4 lbs. each
11 monkeys at 5 lbs. each
10 monkeys at 6 lbs. each
9 monkeys at 7 lbs. each
8 monkeys at 8 lbs. each
(Dr. Eckstein considered that this standard cage would be improved by increasing the height to 30" or 36".)
For monkeys over 8 lbs. in weight larger cages were recommended.
(f) Feeding and care in flight: The importance of keeping to the same food throughout was emphasised. Various types of diet (including fruit) had been tried and experience had shown that soaked gram gave the best results; having considerable water content it was an ideal food for monkeys in flight as giving them water whilst travelling was extremely difficult. The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, however, required that cages be scraped clear of gram before leaving London Airport and barley and wheat fed to the monkeys; this was understood to be required by local conditions in America and not because there was any objection to the diet. The use of gram obviated the difficulty of ensuring maintenance of a standard diet manufactured in India and it had the advantage of being obtainable in India, England and America. It was recognised that feeding on the ground was more satisfactory than feeding in flight.
(g) Stops: It was felt that recommendations were also desirable in connection with stops. The need to give sufficient recouping time en route had to be set against the desirability of keeping the monkeys in travelling cages for as short a time as possible and getting them to their destination as quickly as possible. Major Hancock and Mr. Salmon drew attention to the large percentage of cause of death of monkeys after arrival given as "severe stress".
...
5. Completion of recommendations:
Attention was drawn to a report in THE TIMES of 18th July regarding a quota scheme being introduced by the Indian Government for the export of monkeys for medical research to the U.S.A., Britain, Australia and Canada. Requests for exports would be made by the Governments of each country who would have to guarantee that the monkeys would be humanely treated during transit. Other European Governments were understood to be applying for monkey export quotas. The present system under which permission of the Indian Government was required for every consignment of monkeys would continue meanwhile but from 1st September, 1955, the more liberal export system would be introduced by the quota allocation. It was, therefore, essential that the recommendations from this Conference by passed to the Indian Government by 1st September, 1955.'
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Sent W. Lane-Petter to Col. W.W.S. Sharpe, 23rd March, 1955 (DO 35/8639).
23 Mar 1955
Description:'Dear Sharpe,
I understand from Press Reports, that the Indian Government are introducing a system of licensing, to control the export of monkeys from India. According to these reports, exporters will only be granted licenses if the monkeys are required for medical and scientific reports, and are handled and transported in a proper and humane way. In view of the unsatisfactory conditions of some of the consignments of monkeys which have recently been shipped out of India, we naturally welcome any such system which would have the effect of ensuring the supplies of well-treated and healthy monkeys for legitimate purposes, and at the same time of cutting out less satisfactory shipments.
I have myself found out a good deal about the actual methods of air transport, and am satisfied that the major air companies, and especially B.O.A.C., wish to do everything possible to ensure the proper transport of monkeys.
Laboratories in this country will, I know, wish to offer every help that they can to the Indian Government in order to make their licensing system effective. It would help us if you could:- (1) Obtain from Indian sources any information available about proposed conditions of granting licenses. (2) Convey to the Indian Authorities our desire to give them any help in our power in this connection, e.g. by recommending an approved form of travelling crate; by advising on the quality of shipments of different exporters when they arrive in this country; and in any other way; (3) Convey to the Indian Authorities the special importance at the present time of obtaining sufficient monkeys to further current research, especially on the production and testing of Poliomyelitis Vaccine. The problem of producing such a vaccine appears to be on the verge of solution, and large numbers of monkeys will be required, not only for its production, but also for large scale field trials. A hold-up, therefore, in supplies of monkeys would be particularly serious.
Anything that you can do to help will be much appreciated. I am writing not only on behalf of this Bureau, but also on behalf of the Medical Research Council to whom I am sending a copy of this letter, and on behalf of the majority of monkey users in this country.'
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Sent W. Lane-Petter to F.H.K. Green, 12th July, 1955 (FD 7/1329).
12 Jul 1955
Description:'Dear Green,
I have heard from Lord Merthyr that the R.S.P.C.A. are sending their Chief Secretary, their Chief Veterinary Officer and their Airport Officer to our monkey conference next Monday. This seems to be a very strong contingent and it occurs to me that you might like to know something beforehand of the R.S.P.C.A.'s attitude. Would you, therefore, like me to see you before the conference? Possibly we might have lunch together next Monday, the 18th July.'
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Sent W. Lane-Petter to H. O'Brien, 24th June, 1958 (DO 35/8640).
24 Jun 1958
Description:'Dear Mr Brien [sic],
...
I have known Mr. Edwards for some years as an animal supplier, and more particularly recently in connection with his present enterprise. I believe that he has the intention and ability to conduct any business he may arrange properly and in a way of which we would approve, and I would be most grateful if you would give him any help you are able to in enabling him to obtain a license for exporting monkeys from India.
We have in this encounter been severely handicapped by the unsatisfactory state of the monkey supply and feel it is high time that somebody else came into the field. My belief is that Mr. Edwards should be able to do some good work here. I may add that I am asking the Medical Research Council at Head Office to request the Indian Government through the Commonwealth Relations Office to give favourable consideration for Mr. Edward's application for a license.'
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Sent W. Lane-Petter to M.R. Simmons, 29th September, 1959 (DO 35/8640).
29 Sep 1959
Description:'Dear Miss Simmons,
You have already heard from Mr. Whittaker of the Medical Research Council, Head Office, that I am to go to India sometime between now and the end of the year, particularly in connection with the shipment of monkeys for laboratory use.
I plan to spend about 3 weeks in India which is not a very long time n a country where things tend to move rather slowly. I would like to make quite sure that while I am there I see the best people concerned in the Indian Government, in order to persuade them to adopt the recommendations for the carriage of laboratory monkeys by air which have recently been published by the British Standards Insitution. These recommendations have been devised by a technical committee of which I was chairman but they owe a great deal to a smaller expert committee previously set up by the Medical Research Council. I was also chairman of this committee.
It would be a great help to me, therefore, if you could suggest who in the High Commissioner's Office in Delhi, could give me the best advice and assistance when I go there. If you would like me to come and see you and talk about this I could certainly arrange to do so.'
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Sent W. Lane-Petter to Sir Harold Himsworth, 21st June, 1955 (FD 7/1329).
21 Jun 1955
Description:'Dear Sir Harold,
In recent weeks various American interests have been very actively interested in the manner in which monkeys have been transported to the United States by air and in the condition in which they have been arriving. There has been a great variation in the methods of shipping and care in transit. The three major complaints have been overcrowding, the use of unsuitable crates and lack of provisions for feeding and watering on the journey, and, indeed, many of the animals that have died have been diagnosed as dying of acute malnutrition. We have shown less active interest in this country so far.
I think, therefore, that we should take the initiative in making recommendations about the conditions of shipping monkeys by air from overseas. To this end I suggest that the Council might call a conference to make such recommendations and this conference should represent the Council, B.O.A.C., the R.S.P.C.A. (in the person of the Manager of the Animal Hostel at London Airport), Shamrock Farms (at the moment our receiving agent in this country) and the Research Defence Society. I include the last named because, at the instigation of their President, Lord Waverly, I went to London Airport some weeks ago to investigate the subject which was considered to be one in which the Society was legitimately interested.
I do not think it necessary or desirable to invite an Indian representative to the conference. I think the conference should make positive recommendations which should then be transmitted to the Indian Government with the suggestion that they only issue permits to export monkeys to those who observe these recommendations.
The object of this conference will be to show quite plainly that we, who wish to use the monkeys, together with those that we employ to transport them and to handle them, have a lively interest in seeing that this traffic is properly regulated. We should not expect the Indians in the first place to take this responsibility but, only if we have taken the initiative, invite them to cooperate. I believe that we might in this way impress them very favourably with our good intentions.
If you agree that such a conference is desirable, I think that no time should be lost in organising it.'