Cap 56
Who said anything about VFR??
I think you have misunderstood me. I am not advocating any form of flight by visual reference being imposed on pilots. I am firmly in the group that advocates awaiting the pilot request and only a subtle hint, such as "REPORT FLIGHT CONDITIONS" or "IF NOT VISUAL BY ONE-FIVE MILES EXPECT VECTORS FOR [name of approach]..."
As far as terrain clearance goes, you might be correct that ultimately the manipulation of the controls by the pilot will be the thing that prevents a collision with terrain. However if I vector an aircraft into a hill, people will want to know what I was trying to achieve. I don't know which maps you use, but the ones in use for IFR in New Zealand have plenty of info about terrain when following tracks and procedures, but do they have all the terrain info when being vectored off track? You might be able to pick up a few clues that the controller has you pointed at a big lump of rock, but he may have turned you enough to disorient you. Or you might be a bit busy with other aspects of the flight to try and interpolate your position relative to the various tracks surrounding you.
ENR 1.6 - 14 AIP New Zealand
4.7 Radar Vectoring
4.7.1 Radar vectoring occurs when the radar controller instructs the pilot
to steer magnetic headings or to maintain a specified track. To minimise
the amount of navigation under radar control, and to facilitate the
restoration of pilot navigation in the event of radar failure, aircraft will,
when practicable, be vectored on routes that can be related to a pilot
interpreted navigation aid.
4.7.2 Instructions given by radar controllers will often be designed to
establish and maintain radar separation as well as to position aircraft
accurately. Pilots must therefore commence a turn immediately the
instruction is given at a bank angle of 25_ or at a turn rate of 3_ per
second (Rate 1), whichever requires the lesser angle of bank, and maintain
any given heading until otherwise instructed.
4.7.3 When an aircraft is diverted from a previously assigned route, the
pilot will be advised, unless it is self evident, of the purpose of the vector.
Whenever possible, the limit of the diversion will be specified.
4.7.4 When an IFR aircraft is being vectored, the radar controller is
responsible for provision of adequate terrain clearance, and ensuring the
aircraft remains within controlled airspace, unless at the request of the
pilot or in an emergency.
4.7.5 When radar vectoring is terminated, other than on the issuance of
an approach clearance, the pilot will be instructed to resume own
navigation. When necessary, the radar controller will pass position or track
and distance information to assist the pilot to return the aircraft to its
cleared route.
Sourced from www.aip.net.nz
When it ends up in court, then the pilot will be lucky to be able to attend. I don't think the judge would let me off with the argument that it is the pilots responsibility. I know my employers wouldn't.