Sent from J.D. Whittaker
31 Mar 1958
Description:

'Dear Jasper,

Thank you for your letter (ref. EC.1601/5/1) of the 28th March. I am sorry my letter of the 27th March did not give you all the information you require in the form in which it was wanted. Here is a second attempt at answers to paragraphs 2, 3 and 4:-

Para.2 We estimate that during the six month period commencing 1st October 1957, about 16,000 Rhesus monkeys were exported from India to the United Kingdom. The distribution by weights of this total is -

(a) Weighing below 4 lbs. 2,400

(b) " 4 to 6 lbs. 12,000

(c) " more than 6 lbs. 1,600

Para.3 The short answer here is "No". We think the pattern of previous imports sufficient guide to what may be expected to happen in the future.

Para.4 We assume that what is required here is information on the uses of monkeys 4 to 6 lbs in weight in support of our refusal to accept the Indian Government's statement that monkeys under 6 lbs in weight are useless for medical research purposes. In giving the following examples I must make it clear that we are not claiming that monkeys over 6 lbs in weight would be useless for the work indicated. We are concerned only to show that there is a use for monkeys 4 to 6 lbs in weight. Monkeys in this weight range are perfectly suitable for work on -

(i) Production of poliomyelitis vaccines.

(ii) Safety testing and antigenicity testing of poliomyelitis vaccines.

(Practically all of the 12,000 monkeys mentioned in 2(b) above were used for these two purposes).

(iii) For work on other virus diseases.

(iv) Pharmacological research and testing of new drugs e.g. antimalarial compounds.

(v) Experimental behaviour and neurological study.

(vi) Anatomical research.

(vii) Ophthalmological research.

Examples (iii) to (vii) inclusive are taken from current work and have not been "thought up" for the occasion!

I hope that this is the information you require, but please do not hesitate to come back at me if more is required.'