Nigel i couldn't agree with you more.
However the 45 hour minimum hours were in place long before JAR and all the additional requirements. (especially the "lets learn to fly in cloud but don't do it" bit)
Market forces spawn the pass in 45 hour culture. My humble experience is a 70 - 90 hour pass average with at least 50% attrition rate.
I also don't remember any part of a ppl(h) coarse which advocates flying in 50+ kts. The people you teach learn everything they know from you.