Sent F.F.D. Ward, to Deputy High Commissioner in Dacca, to [F.] Doy and to the C.R.O., 30th May 1955 (DO 35/8641).
30 May 1955
Description:

'CONFIDENTIAL

Monkey Business

When I was recently in Dacca, I had a talk with W.G. Hughes.

2. It appears that his firm, Zoologico, has been absorbed into Anglo-Scottish cattle, the directors of which include Lord Loval and General Sir Douglas Gracey and that that firm are financing operations in East Bengal. Hughes has acquired premises in Dacca which he is converting into a conditioning farm, where monkeys will be examined, fed and housed until each batch (of 800 to a York freighter) is ready; he has also appointed agents to trap and collect monkeys; and I believe that the first lots have now reached Dacca.

3. There is considerable rivalry, amounting almost to hostility, between Hughes and Brooks of United Traders, Dacca. Each seems determined to cover the business for himself, although, as I expect you know, United Traders, Karachi (Davis) is another company in which General Gracey is interested. I have not seen Brooks, but I gather that he has not so far done much towards securing monkeys and, according to Hughes, has no previous experience of this business: which Hughes assures me he has, because he started a similar business in Delhi. At the moment Hughes seems to have the edge on Brooks. The whole thing has, however, quite a family air, because Hughes served on General Gracey's old Gurkha regiment and both Davis and Brooks served in General Gracey's 20th Indian Division; so, for that matter, did I, but I am avoiding monkey business.

4. But the real point to be watched is that the expectation that the export of monkeys from East Bengal will be profitable, irrespective of the flow from India, has produced a mushroom growth of people anxious to get in on the ground floor. It can be safely assumed that most of these, if they have even seen a Rhesus monkey, know nothing about trapping, collection, care, despatch or financing. Therefore, prospective importers at home should be cautious in their dealings.'