Crab - have you ever genuinely conceded a point?
If CHC/Bristow/Bond apply the DfT min requirement set for co-pilots then that doesn't imply those companies are going to hire the lowest time pilots who just reach the minimum requirement.
A new co-pilot is starting on the same pay at the same point on the pay scale whether they have 10 years and 5000hrs experience (from wherever doing whatever) or an R22 type rating and 300hrs. Given that the cost to the company is set at the year 1 level do you think that CHC/Bristow/Bond will go for the low hour example or the highly experienced example?