Dick Carroll wrote in message ...
Further, the fact has recently surfaced that the UK did exactly this
instead of completely dropping code testing, as was so widely
and loudly stated by NCI members.

UK issues issue code-tested licenses, and the word is that a majority
of UK hams prefer to take those tests, and qualify as code-licensed hams
with a callsign issued that indicates that fact.

I think you are wrong .... in the UK, if you pass the amateur exam now
you will be issued an "M0" call which in itself does not say you have
or have not passed the code test. My call is an old VHF-only and I prefer
to keep it, whether I am called "lazy" for not obtaining the code test or
not. It's my call since 1994 and I like it!
If you wish you can take a code test here and get a pass certificate which
you can present in countries that still have the code requirement.
To obtain the Foundation Licence (M3 calls) you attend a "Morse appreciation"
session - it is not a test.
73 Klaus G7RTI