Cited by A Short History of the RSPCA Animal Hostel at London Airport. Pt. 2: International Activities.
Description:

'RSPCA officials encouraged these bans, sending letters to Indian government officials whenever they heard of new moves against the trade. Similarly, they campaigned for trading centres such as Singapore to stop the movement of monkeys through their ports, and emphasized the suffering of exported animals to governments that they thought might allow animals to be taken from their territories.'

 

From original:

22nd January, 1959:

'The results of post mortem examinations had so far indicated that infection was in all probability present before the monkeys left Ethiopia but had become more serious as a result of the aircraft being delayed for 36 hours at Brindisi. It was the opinion of Mr. Salmon and others that mortality was not due to actual conditions of transit. The question of representation by the Society to the Ethiopian Embassy in London was being carefully considered and reimbursement of the cost to which the Society had been put in purchasing antibiotics, etc., for the treatment of these animals at London Airport, had been promised by those concerned. Lt. Col. Lockwood said that he had been in close touch with the Chief Secretary on this matter and had approved the action taken. He trusted the Committee would understand his having done so in the urgent circumstances.' (f. 25)

23rd April, 1959:

'Minutes of the Meeting held on 26th March, 1959, having been circulated to the Committee, were confirmed by the Council.

...

Mr. Sibly referred to a letter from a friend in India, informing him of a motion to be moved in the Lower House of the Indian Parliament on 24th April, seeking a total ban on the export of monkeys. He enquired whether the Committee would be agreeable to cables being despatched [sic] expressing the support of the R.S.P.C.A. The Chairman said that he had similar information and endorsed Mr. Sibley's suggestion.

RESOLVED that cables be sent immediately to:

The President of India

The Prime Minister of India

The Minister of Commerce

and "The Times of India".

RESOLVED further that the Chairman of the Council be informed of this action.' (f. 38)

26th February, 1959:

'3 (a) R.S.P.C.A. Tanganyika Division.

After the Chairman had extended a welcome to Mrs. W. Slater, Organising Secretary of the Tanganyika Division, the Chief Secretary outlined discussions he had had with her prior to the meeting...

...[26-27]...

3 (b) Export of Monkeys from Tanganyika. A reply from the Colonial Office dated 12th February, 1959, to the Society's representations on the subject, having been circulated, was considered. Mrs. Slater stated that it was her firm opinion that to introduce the export of monkeys from the Territory, when over a long period the R.S.P.C.A. had been working to inculcate a respect for animals by the Africans, in addition to the fact that the proposal might have political implications, was a great mistake. She expressed her conviction that it was morally wrong for individuals to gain financially as a result of this exploitation [27-28] of wild life. The Chairman stated that he felt it to be inappropriate for only one official to authorise the capture of these monkeys and that the matter should be dealt with at an administrative level.

Dr. Rattray felt it was important to stress the fact that if monkeys are to be exported at all, then it is in the economic interest of those concerned to ensure that they are humanely handled, fit to undertake the journey, and that there is qualified supervision to that end. The problem undoubtedly, was closely linked with the lack of qualified veterinary services, already under review.

RESOLVED, on the proposition of the Chairman, that a Question be asked in the House of Commons as to the conditions under which monkeys are captured in Tanganyika and the methods proposed for their transport.' (ff. 26-27)

22nd October, 1959:

'12. Shipment of Monkeys from Singapore. Later developments concerning this consignment of monkeys (the matter having been reported initially to the Finance Committee) were reported. The Chief of the Society's Singapore Branch had replied that he had been in touch with the principals of the Ben Line and with other shipping lines, all of whom had agreed not to accept animals as cargoes unless the most dedicated inspection is made by a Government veterinary officer. He was hopeful that at a later stage prohibition of the export of animals from Singapore, except under very special circumstances, might be obtained. Mr. McLeish had further stated that two additional consignments of monkeys had left Singapore [en] route to Rotterdam. The Society at Rotterdam had been informed accordingly. [74-75]

The Manager of the Overseas Department reported a telephone conversation he had with a Mr. Wanstall, formerly a reporter on the "Straits Times", Singapore. Mr. Wanstall had first-hand knowledge of the extremely unsatisfactory conditions under which animal dealers operate in a certain street in Singapore. It was his opinion that these conditions contributed very largely to the difficulties of dealing with such matters as these. He further mentioned a Mrs. Felicity Leonsoh [sic], Singapore City Councillor [sic], who is sympathetic towards animal welfare and whose intervention might be of use to the Singapore Branch.

RESOLVED, on the proposition of the Chairman, that a letter be written to the High Commissioner for South-East Asia, drawing his attention to this matter and enquiring what influence he may be able to bring upon the Singapore Government with a view to improving a deplorable state of affairs, which brings no credit to the British Commonwealth.' (ff. 74-75)