Englishal,
Standard VMC minima above alt 3000' are minimum of 1000' vertical and 1500m horizontal separation from cloud. (Don't you just love the mixed units.) Any closer to cloud than this and you are in IMC, and therefore VFR is not an option, so IFR required.
Mike, Many thanks for that info. I was not aware of that. I might try asking........but I won't hold my breath.
Rod1, IRs are not that rare. There is a thriving PPL/IR network across europe and ppls are still getting IRs even post JAR, and plenty of commercial pilots also fly permit aircraft.