conclusion
thanks guys...in conclusion then,
1. the IR sim hours do not count towards the minimum 150 hours for starting the CPL course
2. you need 100 PIC for licence issue anyway, so hour building packages gives you PIC time not the IR or CPL course
3. you must get both CPL and IR in no particular order within 36 months of passing ATPL exams
I currently have a PPL with 70 hours TT, of which 35 hours are PIC, so I need a minimum of a further 65 PIC through hour building.