DB6 - it would appear that the school at which I did my night rating was misinformed. However, since the 5 hours of Instrument Training they insisted I did has subsequently got me out of what could otherwise have been very hot water on at least one occasion, I think I shall resist the temptation to take it up with them.
Agree re: AOPA, I've never yet seen them do anything genuinely useful in the UK - I've never joined them and consider PFA and BMAA membership (which added together are cheaper than UK AOPA membership) much more useful. Reliable rumour tells me that PFA & BMAA are getting quite p^&*^*d off with AOPA about their playing their cards too close to their chests regarding the NPPL.
G
N.B. To be fair to Bear Cub (and I am not known to be a great fan of he and his rants) getting a consistent message out of CAA-FCL or even getting them to work to their own published rulebooks can be a bit of a challenge.