Englishal
I agree with most of your answer, but our interpretations depart from one another towards the end.
From an FAA point of view, a non-IR pilot should not be flying with a hood on, unless accompanied by an instructor. Under these circumstances, the pilot in command is the instructor. If a non-IR pilot elects to put a hood on, then he is breaking the FARs unless his co-pilot is licensed and current to take over command of the flight immediately, and does so.
An IR pilot who has lost his 6-month currency can fly with a safety pilot to regain currency, but this pilot does not have to have an IR. Such flights will be conducted according to VFR and the safety pilot will also be responsible for ensuring that the flight remains outside clouds.
It is only in England with your IMC rating that the edges start to get blurred.
