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NI: N Ireland: MOD Records

01 September 1996

The Ministry of Defence has disclosed to the Campaign for Freedom of Information its 1992 "Instructions for Record Reviewers" - a set of guidelines for the classification and release of official records. Annex E covers "Records relating to Northern Ireland dated August 1969 and later". The regulations state that such records should be labelled "Northern Ireland" which means that "this record contains reference to Northern Ireland and is therefore provisionally closed to the public for 100 years (or until its destruction, if earlier) in accordance with a Cabinet Office ruling in 1972 - vide MOD File D/0S8/40 - 5/8/75". Appendix B defines a number of other labels involving Northern Ireland. "Perimeter" was used in Northern Ireland from November 1969 to March 1973 and at the time meant "restricted". It is currently classed as "confidential". "UK Eyes A" was introduced from 1 November 1972. It is a "restricted" classification with certain Northern Ireland exclusions: "information not to be released to any other country, and which, within UK Government Service, is confined to UK-based members of the UK Armed Forces (...), Home Civil Service (excluding Northern Ireland Civil Service), the Diplomatic Service, the Police Forces (excluding the Royal Ulster Constabulary) and employees of the UKAEA, CAA and Post Office." The "UK Eyes B" label means that on a discretionary basis information may be imparted to the RUC and Northern Ireland Civil Service.