Chris wrote:
There is no problem setting up a descent to bring you under
cloud providing that whilst in cloud you remain 1000 feet above the highest
obstacle within five miles either side of your track and once through the
cloud are in VFR conditions.

The above cannot be done in the US. We can descend to the MEA (which
varies, ATC knows and will tell us), and if we are not in VFR
conditions, then we have to do an intrument approach. MEA's are higher
than 1000 AGL I can tell you that. MEA's are not published, but ATC has
a map of them. Radar coverage madatory for IFR flight (with one
exception, Class G). I don't honestly know what the rules are for
descent in Class G with no radar and no IFR clearance. I don't think
there are any. It doesn't happen much, almost all our IFR flight is
with radar coverage and ATC clearances etc.