The controller couldn't tell (when we were 100 m apart) whether the other plane was higher or lower than myself. Depends on the type of radar they use as to whether it gives height information, and also as to what resolution it can do this.
I had only asked for FIS, perhaps my fault for not converting to RAS, as there was no weather to interfere with any advice (I'm VFR only).
Also, my hearing isn't the best, and perhaps he did offer advice. His lowish pitched voice didn't help me understand everything he was saying. Mostly because I didn't really expect anyone to talk to me after the initial call until handed off, and was caught by surprise each time. That was your callsign Richy, pay attention. By which time, he's already said half of what he was telling me.