Once again what appear to be Area validated guys seem to be replying in what is an approach environment I wish they would cease because our rules are very different from theirs.
There are two points here. Firstly the glide path signal of ALL approach aerials in the UK is only protected to a maximum of 10 miles, that is why we request "Report established". We are legally obliged to ensure that you are established on the localiser BEFORE giving descent on the ILS. If you happen to intercept the localiser outside of glide path protection , then you can only cleared for descent to 3000 feet initially ( approx 10 miles"further with the ILS"). Any descents lower than this require you to be observed (by radar)within the particular airfields final approach area. In which case you are relying on the particular ATCOS knowledge of the surrounding terrain to keep you clear of potential trouble.