TNAG-0581-FCO40-714-Boundaries-disclaimer-notes-for-maps-and-charts-of-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 27

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MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Directorate of Military Survey

Elmwood Avenue Feltham Middlesex

TW13 7AE

Telephone 01-890 3622 Ext 100

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Downing Street

London SW1A 2AL

*Jndian MMB QuAAJNWEALTH OFFICE

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Your reference

Our reference D/Svy 3/3/10

Date

9 October 1975

BOUNDARY DISCLAIMER NOTES ON MAPS AND CHARTS PRODUCED

SY THE DIRECTORATE OF MILITARY SURVEY

1.

It has for some time been Directorate policy to show a boundary disclaimer note on maps and charts produced by the British Military Survey Service.

2..

The purpose of such a note is to circumvent any attempt by other nations to quote these maps as authoritative statements in evidence in boundary disputes, and

void the direct inference that the boundaries shown represent a particular view of the British Government.

3.

The note which is currently in use reads:

"This map is not an authority on boundaries."

It is considered to be unsatisfactory for three reasons:

4.

â.

The wording may suggest to map users that the accuracy or reliability of

This is not necessarily so. the boundary portrayal is questionable.

D.

The disclaimer, with its specific reference to boundaries, does not cover the question of sovereignty in general: eg the sovereignty of islands when no international boundary is shown on the map.

c.

Such a disclaimer sees inappropriate on maps covering any part of UK territory eg on our 1:20,000 mapping of N Ireland (CSGS 5147) which shows the N Ireland/Republic of Ireland border. The note is therefore omitted from maps showing only UK territory and a different form of disclaimer is used for maps showing both UK and non-UK territory (viz "This map is not an authority on boundaries except with regard to UK sovereign territories.")

We would prefer to have one standard disclaimer which can be used on all our

It should maps and charts, thus eradicating the possibility of its mis-application. be kept as short and direct as possible.

5.

With the above points in mind, could you please consider the following two proposals:

a.

Either "This map does not purport to be authoritative on the political

status of non-UK territories."

5.

or

"This map does not necessarily represent any view of the UK Government as to the political status of non-UK territories."