Sent from R.L.D. Jasper
28 Mar 1958
Description:

'You wrote to Reed on the 27th March about the import of monkeys.

We are most anxious that effective representations should be made to the Government of India on this question as soon as possible, particularly having regard to the great importance of the poliomyelitis programme. We quite understand that it may not be possible for you to produce precise figures of imports (though I would have thought that, with Customs and Board of Trade help, these could have been provided). But as regards the other questions raised by the Indians, we cannot go any further without a properly argued case. This is a matter of very deep religious feeling in the Sub-Continent and we cannot overlook this or expect the Indians to be persuaded by arguments that persuade us. It may well now be too late to do anything effective in New Delhi. I have sent this as an interim reply and hope you will be able to let us have some further information on Monday.'