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Gulf of Mexico: Maps

Asked by Martin WrigleyLiberal DemocratForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 20 May 2025UIN 52066

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he bring forward legislative proposals to regulate maps used in the UK to ensure that the Gulf of Mexico is not referred to by other names.

Answered by Catherine West

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will continue to follow the guidance of the Permanent Committee on Geographical Names (PCGN) who advise His Majesty's Government on policies and procedures for the representation of geographical names for places and features outside the UK, excluding those of the Antarctic. For names of international maritime features beyond any sovereignty, PCGN usually advises reflecting the common English conventional name, which for this body of water is the 'Gulf of Mexico'.

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