"Absolutely no reason. other than old fashioned view of job protectionism and self importance on behalf of the quango." mmm
Seem to recall that in the days when UK PLC was looking to outsource many functions a request to contract out the fcl function met with comments to the effect of it's too difficult!
How can a defined set of rules with a well laid out application form be complex!
A temporary certificate could be issued for many things but that would require a customer orientated approach.