Mad Jock,
Instructors are well trained in deciding when a pilot has reached the standard required for the issue of a PPL. That is when they send the student forward to the Examminer for test.
As an instructor, you know that as far as the CAA are concerned, the IR renewal counts.
As for clear information on the requirements. The answer must be to read then direct from JAR-FCL.
Every other country in Europe seems to cope well. How is it that in the UK, people claim to have problems undertanding the requirements when provided with a copy of JAR-FCL, plus an AIC from the CAA explaining the situation, plus a book called LASORS which also explains the requirements.
IMHO, people often simply invent problems when they can't be bothered.
Every current current instructor has made a declaration that they have read and understood the JARs. How come so many calim at a later date not to understand them or misquote them ???
Rant over!
Regards,
DFC