Thank you very much for the replies.
There is a tendency to compare the (split)flap position indicators and take the smallest detent that the lower of the two is closest to.
The QRH actually implies that you should be looking at the 'smallest indicated flap position' in isolation.
I'm an experienced (english speaking)737 pilot and instructor and I've been getting this wrong and putting the flap lever up. As gonso said this actually leads to the correct response later in the checklist(ie. 'If flaps are less than 1')and is a conservative approach I suppose, but I am a bit embarrassed.
Any more input welcome.