CODE 18.7/
Reference
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Mr Hodge
Republic of Ireland Department
BOUNDARY DISCLAIMER NOTE TO BE USED ON MAPS AND CHARTS FRODUCED BY THE DIRECTORATE OF MILITARY SURVEY (DMS)
1. Thank you for your minute of 30 April, which we have since discussed on the telephone.
2. I agree about the importance of the points in your paragraph 2. However, I do not think the advice we have given to the DMS about a new Boundary Disclaimer Note need of itself create problems for us vis-a-vis the Northern Ireland border. As I explained on the telephone, the purpose of a Disclaimer is to prevent DMS maps being quoted in political or legal disputes as evidence of HMG's view on particular disputed boundaries or territories anywhere in the world. But, somewhat paradoxically, DMS maps are for practical purposes to be regarded as authoritative by their users. I agree that the best way of ensuring that the Disclaimer does not create any confusion about this is for British soldiers serving in Northern Ireland (or elsewhere, for that matter) to be instructed to observe without fail the boundaries and other features shown on their DMS maps.
3. I attach a copy of my letter of 26 April to Mr Holland.
E Clay
Defence Department
19 May 1976
Copy to: Mr Parry
Legal Adviser
Mr Janvrin
HKIOD
Mr Omand
DS10 Ministry of Defence
Mr Crowther
Northern Ireland Office (L)
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