I was called away just as the replies were coming in, sorry for the delay in responding. Thanks to all, particularly to Toadpool who gave me the info I was looking for, and the sensible comments by 'throw a dyce'.
Of course in 35 years of IMCR renewal tests, each requiring two different instr. approaches and a poor weather visual circuit, I have done every approach in the book, most many, many times. The last test was a few weeks ago. And also of course, I know that one should always have the plates, but asked that if for whatever red faced reason one hasn't, is it wrong to ask for SRA or vectors for ILS?
My query arose because the brief CAA occurrance report, starting "C172 caused increased workload to ATC.", led me to think that this might have arisen because ATC had to stir themselves to give an RSA or vectors for ILS, because the pilot couldn't do an own nav. approach for lack of plate(s).
I'm pleased to know from Toadpool that this was not the case, but arose because the pilot did not want to do a radar directed instrument approach, wishing to find his way visually in poor weather in their busy Class D zone.
I quoted the only two cases I had not had the plates, but in all the many others when I have had them, I have never once been expected to do an own nav procedure at an airport with approach radar, other than for booked renewal tests. For real, EVERY time vectors for ILS, SRA, or PAR (no longer available anywhere I go) have been given without query. Whether or not I had the plates is actually never known by ATC since I have always followed their directions accurately, as I also did on the two occasions I quoted when without the plates.
I had come to think that such service from ATC is entirely normal, and vectored approaches generally preferred by ATC rather than cluttering up the airspace whilst the a/c does a full 'own nav' procedure. This was confirmed by 'throw a dyce'.
Following the comments, I shall continue to ask, and doubtless receive, this service from ATC with approach radar, without guilt of feeling that I'm making unreasonable demands. (I'll have the plates just in case they don't, though)
MikeJ