Created 'Draft Statement after Questions', c. 21st April, 1955 (DO 35/8639).
Approx. 21 Apr 1955
Description:

'...

In view of many misunderstandings it is only fair for me to point out that so far this new vaccine does involve inoculating our children at repeated intervals with a preparation derived from the kidneys of monkeys. The House and the country will surely [missing (torn page): know?] that we must carry out extensive tests as to the cost effectiveness [of] any possible dangers of it. We are already doing this. We must [also] make sure, as we shall, that it is effective against the particular strains of the virus most commonly found in this country...

...'

 

NB: given in parliament?

Created 'Note of Meeting in Commonwealth Relations Office on 26th May to Discuss Position in Regard to Supplies of Rhesus Monkeys from India,' 26th May, 1955 (DO 35/8639).
26 May 1955
Description:

'NOTE OF A MEETING IN COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS OFFICE ON 26TH MAY TO DISCUSS POSITION IN REGARD TO SUPPLIES OF RHESUS MONKEYS FROM INDIA

PRESENT:

Mr. J. Thomson (C.R.O.) (in the Chair)

Sir Weldon Dalrymple-Champneys       Ministry of Health

Mr. A.D. Campbell                             "

Mr. H.F. Bartlett                       Foreign Office

Mr. J.D. Whittaker                    Medical Research Council

Mr. G.L. Simmons                    Commonwealth Relations Office

--------------

... Great public interest had been shown in the Salk vaccine. There was a possibility that in certain circumstances there might be heavy public pressure for an accelerated scale of vaccinations. It was thus essential to ensure that the supply of monkeys could be shown to have been safeguarded at an early stage. It was necessary to consider the likely demand from every country interested in the production of polio vaccine, and to determine whether supply from all sources as it eventually developed would meet this demand. Only after this had been established would it be possible to decide whether some form of international regulation might be desirable. It was also necessary to know what other sources of supply existed other than India. We should have to consider whether other users of Rhesus monkeys were likely to co-operate in any form of international regulation.

2. The following points were made in discussion:

(a) The Salk vaccine was a killed vaccine; work was also being carried out on the production of an attenuated vaccine which would not require monkey tissue as a base. Rhesus monkeys were required mainly for safety testing and in spite of possible developments in the production of vaccines there was every likelihood that in the next three to five years there would be a large demand for Rhesus monkeys for safety testing purposes alone. Testing standards in the United Kingdom would be higher than those in the United States ...

(b) It seemed as if public opinion in the United Kingdom definitely accepted that further experimentation and research was necessary, particularly in the safety testing side, before any large scale vaccination program could be carried out. It was unlikely that the Government would be subjected to any panic pressures.

(c) United States producers were not satisfied with the safety tests at present obtaining and it was likely that the manufacturers themselves would now work for a higher standard of safety testing.

(d) It was definite that the Rhesus was the most satisfactory species. United States researchers were already thinking in terms of African monkeys in particular baboons. Baboons represented a considerable difficulty as they were not so tractable and easily handled as Rhesus. Methods were also being developed of using kidney from dead monkeys for the production of virus. It would enormously simplify the problem if the monkeys could be killed on the spot and the kidneys transported to production laboratories in the countries concerned. As far as the United Kingdom was concerned this would mean that some kind of test would have to be carried out on the imported monkey tissue before it could be considered safe for use by manufacturers.

...

(f) ... There was a danger that the Americans might react adversely to any unilateral action we might take to safeguard our own supplies. It might be better to bring the United States in on any proposals which the United Kingdom wished to make and to approach the Indian Government cojointly [sic] with them.

...

(i) The figure for 7,000 monkeys for 1955 had been designed to cover all contingencies. It was more than likely that the number of monkeys which the Indian government had licensed for the United Kingdom up to the end of July could not be taken up within this time. One of the United Kingdom's difficulties was a holding one. There was not at present sufficient holding capacity in the United Kingdom to make it possible to take a plane load e.g. 900 monkeys at a time and hold them for supply to the manufacturers as required. This also meant difficulties over supplies from Pakistan where at present they were only available by plane loads.

3. It was agreed

(a) That there was not at present sufficient information available to make it possible to assess whether an international agreement or other arrangement was desirable.

(b) Steps should be taken to secure from the Indian Government a further license to cover United Kingdom needs to the end of 1955.

(c) The United Kingdom Embassy in Washington should be informed of the consideration which has been given to the problem here, and requested to report on any reactions arising from Paterson's visit.'

--interdepartmental meeting -- Thomson sees potential public pressure for vaccine as important motivator for 'early stage' securing of monkeys -- need for overall demand to be known before deciding whether to form international 'club' -- rhesus primary used for safety testing of vaccine -- avoidance of 'panic measures' dependent on UK public opinion re: need for 'further experimentation and research' -- search for alternative supplies (US) -- fears re: acting without US support -- problem of lack of infrastructure in UK (not enough 'holding capacity') (prevents Pakistan scheme from being viable) -- decision re: international cooperation delayed (but US embassy informed of discussion)

 

 

DO 35/8639: G.L. Simmons [Commonwealth Relations Office] to J.R. Cross [U.K. High Commission in India], 9th June, 1955 [CRO 1601/5/1].

'CONFIDENTIAL

...

4. Patterson told us that from the expiry of the present licenses (June for the Americans and July for ourselves) the Indian Government propose to insist that each country employ only one agent in India to handle all exports (the extension in Patterson's mind was that these agents should be combined in one consortium). To some extent this seems to be confirmed by paragraph two of your telegraph number 647 in which you tell us that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has suggested that the best permanent method would be for a medical firm with an Indian organisation like Glaxo to act as agents for the supply of all monkeys needed for the United Kingdom.

5. On points of detail the wires have got a little crossed. ... What we must aim to ensure is that the United Kingdom is enabled to secure 7,000 monkeys by the end of 1955 and thus lay a sure foundation for the development of vaccine on the one hand and its adequate testing on the other. These humanitarian objectives are such that we feel confident they will appeal to the Indian authorities if they are properly presented.

...

7. The above shows how we seem to be getting at cross purposes over points of detail. We are anxious to ensure a regular flow of monkeys, up to the immediate ceiling of 7,000 which we would set for 1955. It is important that it should be a regular flow, and to this purpose we wish to co-operate with the Indian Government's licensing requirements. On the whole we should like to establish the system we have suggested whereby our overall requirements, which will be agreed between those concerned here, will be licensed to the Medical Research Council who will make the necessary arrangements with suppliers...

...'

Created 'Notification (Customs)', The Gazette of India, 11th March, 1955 (DO 35/8639)..
11 Mar 1955
Description:

'THE GAZETTE OF INDIA

Extraordinary

...

Ministry of Finance (Revenue Division)

Notification

Customs

New Delhi, the 11th March 1955

S.R.O. 568 - In exercise of the powers conferred by section 19 of the Sea Customs Act, 1878 (VIII of 1878), as in force in India and as applies to the State of Pondicherry... The Central Government hereby prohibits the taking by sea or by land of monkeys out of India or the State of Pondicherry except with the previous sanction of the Central Government.'

Created Briefing note: 'Poliomyelitis Vaccine: Production and Supply,' [April] 1955 (DO 35/8639).
Apr 1955
Description:

'Poliomyelitis Vaccine

Production and Supply

1. There are two possible sources of supply in the United Kingdom at present - Glaxo Laboratories and Burroughs, Wellcome. The main production difficulties appear to be (a) suitable premises, (b) equipment (c) qualified staff and (d) supply of monkeys.

2. Glaxo have already made pilot batches of vaccine - quantity unstated. Part of this has been supplied to the M.R.C. (5 litres) and part to Iceland (10 litres). They have also produced sufficient virus to make 150 litres of vaccine which should be available about the end of June. Testing of this will take to end of September. After that they hope to be producing vaccine at a rate of 150 litres a month from about August, subject to availability of monkeys (production at this level needs 60 monkeys a week). Later in 1955 they could be producing at 300 litres a month if required - again subject to monkeys being available. All these figures are subject to confirmation and are probably optimistic.

3. Burroughs, Wellcome, are preparing temporary accommodation and equipment for vaccine production. This should be ready by August but vaccine is unlikely to be available before the Autumn of 1955 - probably later. The anticipated rate of production may be sufficient to provide for [+/-] 1 million courses annually - say 200 litres a month. Only 60 litres will be available in 1955 (November and December). They intend to build a new virus centre, which will not be ready before the summer of 1956. When this has been completed they may be able to expand output to 500 litres a month, if required. These figures are also subject to confirmation.

...

5. Imports. The vaccine may be imported under Open General License from all countries except dollar countries. Imports from dollar countries must be licensed individually by the Board of Trade. A T.S.A. import license is necessary in all cases. Two applications have already been made (a) by Parke, Davis to import from the U.S.A. as para. 4 above, for retail sale in this country, delivery in 6 months (b) by the International Serum Co. for a T.S.A. license to import from Germany. The Parkes, Davis application was made some time before the U.S. Government placed export controls on the vaccine.

6. Exports. No license is needed to export the vaccine. Glaxo are understood to be committed to send 60 litres in all to Iceland ...

7. Monkeys. The supply difficulties are due mainly to reluctance of Indian government to license export of monkeys. All the American firms are cooperating with vaccine producers in other countries for the available monkeys and for export licenses. Representations to the Indian Government - possibly through the High Commissioner - may be necessary if supplies of monkeys to Glaxo and Burroughs, Wellcome are to be ensured.

...'

Created Commonwealth Relations Office, 'Supply of Rhesus monkeys from India', 26th May, 1955 (DO 35/8639).
26 May 1955
Description:

'Supply of Rhesus monkeys from India

Note by Commonwealth Relations Office

Of types of monkeys required for medical research the Rhesus is the one which is principally used and for present purposes is the only monkey satisfactory for the production of polio vaccine. The principal source of supply has been the Indian sub-continent, where the Rhesus is predominantly found and at the present time they have only been obtained on any scale from the Indian Republic where there exist established organisations for trapping, conditioning and shipping animals to the required standard...

...

2. Up till now the United Kingdom requirement of monkeys has been of the order of a few hundred a year. In 1954 over 100,000 monkeys are estimated to have been shipped from India to the U.S. and it is probable that the capacity of the supply organisation at present existing in India is of the order of 150,000 to 200,000 a year.

...

...

4. The Indian Government's decision to license the export of monkeys came at a time when details of the Salk vaccine had been generally released and when in the United Kingdom it had been decided to proceed with the manufacture of vaccine and carrying out research and tests. In consequence the United Kingdom requirement of monkeys had grown almost overnight from some hundreds to some thousands a year and in order to meet the situation arising out of the licensing regulations an overall application for 7,000 monkeys in the year 1955 was made to the Government of India. This was designed to cover the United Kingdom's requirements for all purposes (e.g. manufacture and testing of polio vaccine and normal laboratory requirements) except research carried on under the aegis of the Ministry of Supply, and was made on behalf of the Medical Research Council with the agreement of the main organisations concerned. The object was to centralise United Kingdom requirements for licensing purposes. ...

5. The Commonwealth Relations Office has now been approached by Mr. T.E. Patterson the Delhi representative of Shamrock Farms Ltd. who is the principal supplier of monkeys in India. Mr. Patterson has reported that with the release of information about the Salk vaccine a serious situation has arisen, as the immediate demand including that licensed by the Indian Government very much exceeds available supplies. Apart from the large U.S. demand which may well increase from its previous level the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Western Germany and Switzerland are now actively interested and have entered the market. As a result the market has been invaded by "mushroom" exporters anxious to make quick profits, prices have risen severely, and in the seller's market prevailing monkeys by no means conforming to research standards were being forced [sic] on buyers. While this situation is in itself undesirable there is also a danger that some scandal may arise as a result of bad treatment by less reputable exporters which may attract unfavourable publicity in India to an already sensitive subject and which might compel the Indian Government to restrict very severely or possibly to ban further export of monkeys. In any case while it may seem unlikely that the Indian Government would impose a complete ban, any further restrictions which would involve holding up still further the orderly flow of supplies would be most undesirable.

6. Mr. Patterson has also informed us that it is not the intention of the Indian Government to continue licensing on the same terms as they are at present ... Patterson has suggested that with the very greatly increased demand now obtaining competition will still be very severe and that the potentially dangerous situation envisaged in paragraph 5 above will still obtain. He has formed the opinion that the best answer to the problem is for the importing countries for form some organisation which could agree to demands of individual countries, negotiate with the Indian government for licenses, and stabilize the position in regard to price and standards of animals supplied. Mr. Patterson claimed to have discussed this proposition already with the American Embassy in Delhi who were generally in favour of the proposal and who had recommended him to the U.S. Government (Mr. Patterson has already left for Washington and is proceeding thence to Ottowa). The Americans were in a more difficult position because their temporary allocations ran out at the end of June. Mr. Patterson also claimed to have discussed it with the Canadian High Commissioner in Delhi.

7. The need for some kind of international agreement over the supply of Rhesus monkeys would appear to depend primarily on the extent to which the problem is likely to be a long term one e.g. on an assessment of what the likely demand of all importing countries is likely to be and of whether it will be possible to meet this in an orderly way from all sources of supply including India. For the immediate present it is clear that India will continue to be the main source of supply since apart from questions of availability the setting up of supply organisations elsewhere is bound to take some months. Pakistan is already being investigated and if the situation requires it, it is probable that other sources will be followed up. These are however limited. The use of monkeys other than Rhesus for the production of polio vaccine is also being looked into, but does not offer a short term solution.

8. If it is decided that the problem is likely to be of sufficient size to justify our considering taking an initiative to secure some measure of agreement between the principal importing countries further consideration will be necessary as to the best means of achieving this e.g. whether through the national research organisations concerned, by reference to any existing international bodies such as the World Health Organisation, or by agreement between governments and at what level.'

Created Commonwealth Relations Office, [Regulations Concerning the Transport of Monkeys Within India], 9th October, 1958 (DO 35/8640).
9 Oct 1958
Description:

'(A) CONDITIONS IN REGARD TO TRANSPORT OF THE MONKEYS FROM PLACES OF CAPTIVITY TO THE EXPORTER'S ANIMAL COMPOUND.

(i) Monkeys booked by rail from places where they are collected to the exporters' farm in Delhi or Calcutta should be accompanied by an attendant.

(ii) The monkeys should be transported in export cages the specifications of which have been detailed in (D) below.

(iii) The maximum number of monkeys that can be housed in a cage of the prescribed dimensions is indicated below:-

Weight                                                     Nos.

4 lbs and above but below 6 lbs.                  Eight

6 lbs and above.                               Six

(iv) During transit in train, the monkeys should be provided with adequate food and water.

(v) A veterinary Surgeon should be present at the Railway Station where the consignment will be unloaded and facilities should be made available there to give medical aid to such of those animals as need it on arrival.

...

(D) CONDITIONS IN REGARD TO SIZE, CAPACITY, ETC, OF THE EXPORT CAGES.

(i) The export cages should be made of wood and bamboo, so constructed as to allow for passage of air for ventilation through at least 50% of the surface on 3 separate surfaces.

(ii) Each cage should be equipped with water and food receptacles capable of being refilled during transit.

(iii) Nails, metallic projections or other sharp objects should not be exposed on the interior of the cage.

(iv) The minimum overall dimensions of the export cage should be 36" long x 19" high x 18" deep inclusive of duckboard flooring, a removable food and water tray and also a removable droppings tray.

(v) No cage when loaded should weigh more than 200 lbs if made of bamboo or 245 lbs if made of wood.

(vi) The maximum number of monkeys that can be housed in a cage of prescribed dimensions is indicated below:-

Weight                                                     Nos.

4 lbs and above but below 6 lbs.                  8 (eight)

6 lbs and above.                               6 (six)

(E) CONDITIONS IN REGARD TO LOADING OF THE MONKEYS IN THE AIR-CRAFT AND THEIR TRANSIT.

(i) Sealed cages only should be allowed to be loaded. They should not be thrown or dropped or mishandled in any manner which might cause harm or unnecessarily agitate the animals.

(ii) The cages should be aligned in the air-craft so as to allow ventilation for each cage.

(iii) Arrangements should be made for adequate supply of food and water to the animals. Non-perishable food-stuff (mixed grains - maize, grams, groundnuts etc.) should be provided on the scale of 1/2 lb. per monkey per day, augmented by fresh vegetables which should be served only at stoppages and not on the way.

(iv) An empty crate of the usual dimensions namely 36" long x 19" high x 18" deep but with its sides covered except 2" at the top to allow for ventilation, should be provided for in the aircraft for housing the monkeys, which fall sick during the air journey.

(v) A metal cylindrical container (diameter 12" height 18") having airtight lid with rubber gasket and with fastening arrangements should be provided in the aircraft for segregating the monkeys which die during the air journey. 5 lbs of saw dust and 1/2 lb of lysol or other disinfectant should also be carried in the aircraft. After getting the dead animals into the container, a layer of saw dust should cover the dead animals. Thereafter strong disinfectant should be sprinkled on the saw dust.

(vi) Arrangements should be made to provide satisfactory accommodation in modern types of animal hostels for the monkeys during their halt at intermediate airports.

...'