Thanks guys for your replies......it seems only AlanM really addressed my query. I am well aware about asking ATC for heading changes and also about the track/heading issue, but was wanting to know only if there was any special case with regard to intercepting LOC which I was unaware of (but had been told so in the cockpit!). It is clear now that there is no such thing and AlanM thanks for addressing the original question and not going off on patronising tangents!!