It's a tricky one.
Like a few 'regulations' out there it can be open to interpretation- obvious by the differing opinions here!
I can read the circling situation and understand both sides of the situation.
But I feel like I copped too much crap for stating what I thought could be done in another thread (unrelated) so I won't bother offering my opinion here! Too many people who know everything and what they say is the only way. (Good on ya Proon!)
I have my mind made up on what I would be doing and I'm happy to back that up when and if challenged in a real situation.
eg.. consider you are making straight in approach and at the straight in MDA with sufficient visibility to circle but not land straight in...
desmo, I recall reading somewhere on the reasons behind the circling vis being less than the straight in... I should go find it, makes for good conversation.