In reply to tom.m:
>What 'kind of terrain' exactly is it in the IML syllabus that couldn't be assessed in the UK ML qualifications?
Typically, alpine terrain over 1344m. Unfortunately, the UK doesn't have terrain over this height. The management of the hazards in this alpine terrain are significant and different to those trained and assessed at ML summer. For example, consider the hazards of alpine terrain in the contexts of physiology, weather, avalanche, rockfall, fixed equipment, and rescue (just to provide a few differences) in alpine summer and winter conditions.
To respond to your point about gaining equivalence in France. There is nothing stopping anyone from applying for equivalence with the IML; quite simply, you would have to prove that your qualifications and experience are equivalent to the IML. Yes, you would receive 'equivalence' from the DJES if successful, *but* you also need a carnet to operate as an IML. The carnets are issued by the associations of the member countries of UIMLA, for example SNAM in France, so you would need to join one of the member associations to receive a carnet by meeting their respective requirements for membership. The continuing renewal of the carnet requires the holder to continue to meet the national association's requirements, for example CPD (recyclage in SNAM), insurance, etc. Unfortunately, by following this route, I understand that the carnet holder would not be eligible to join BAIML because they don't hold the IML.
Should the IML be integrated into the existing ML scheme as the national qualification for the UK? Consider that most ML holders are volunteers and that the cost for ML is already quite high for volunteers (this is a point often made when considering whether to re-join the MTA - previously the MLTA - with its requirement for CPD), then add on the additional elements for alpine training and assessment in the summer and winter. It would be a non-starter in my view.
Furthermore, I don't think that the requirement for alpine training and assessment can be safely circumvented by training and assessing in the UK alone. This was the outcome of the review of the IML in 2006 which saw the introduction of the separate summer and winter training and assessment courses.