Created by Medical Research Council
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'"Unclassified"

1. Numbers of Monkeys Required

The Chairman reported that on the 16th April he had written to Dr. C.G. Pandit, of the Indian Council for Medical Research, asking for his help in obtaining monkeys for medical research work in Great Britain, and saying that upwards of 6,000 monkeys a year would be needed. This figure was intended to include the requirements of Glaxo, Burroughs Wellcome, the N.I.M.R., the Virus Reference Laboratory, Colindale, and a small number for other university laboratories. No reply to this letter has yet been received. He had stressed in the letter that the monkeys were required for medical research only and he thought it important that monkeys to be used for Ministry of Supply purposes in connection with defence needs should not be included in any M.R.C. request. Sir Bennett Hance agreed that this was of the utmost importance, for the Indian Government appeared particularly sensitive to any suggestion that monkeys be used for nuclear physical experiments. (It was subsequently pointed out, however, by Dr. Lane-Petter, that for some years past the Ministry of Supply had regularly given certificates to the Indian Government that monkeys exported during the close season for work in their laboratories were for medical research, and their certificates had always been accepted.)

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Estimated requirements by main users:-

                           To the end of June July-Sept.    Oct.-Dec.         Total

Glaxo                   300                      1750           2250           4500

Burroughs Wellcome        60                        150             180                  390

N.I.M.R.                50                        200             300             550

Colindale               25                        75               75               175

                           635                      2175           2805           5615

Other users and allowance for contingencies.......                               1385

                                                                        TOTAL          7000

Dr. Lane-Petter said that he did not think that these figures would be considered excessive by the Indian Government in view of the fact that exports of monkeys to the United States over the last twelve months were in the order of three to five hundred thousand.

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3. Shipment and holding of monkeys.

(a) Arrangements in India. Dr. Lane-Petter said that Patterson, in New Delhi, was according to his information by far the most satisfactory dealer in India. He had previously been connected with Shamrock Farms (Great Britain) Ltd. in this country. Dr. Lane-Petter said that he would make enquiries to find out whether this was still the case. If the formal arrangements for collecting and concentrating monkeys for export, either by Patterson or some other agent, were not acceptable to the Indian Government, then difficulties might arise over collecting adequate shipments. It was agreed that, although this was contrary to normal Council practice, it would be advisable in this instance to appoint Patterson as the official agent of the Council in New Delhi, providing that he was still collecting for the Shamrock Farms and was acceptable to the Indian Government.

(b) Arrangements in this country. Dr. Lane-Petter thought that Shamrock Farms would be the most suitable firm with which to deal. He understood that they would increase their holding capacity, subject to two or three weeks' notice, to up to 1,000 monkeys and to perhaps three times this figure if necessary. It was agreed that it would be advantageous if the Council could assure the Government of India that they had inspected and approved the facilities at Shamrock Farms, near Brighton, and Dr. Lane-Petter and Mr. Whittaker would visit the farms within the next few days for this purpose. Subject to a satisfactory outcome, the Council would appoint Shamrock Farms as their official agent in this country.'