member vs institute level

[Rod Widdowson]

> We are part of the the UK Federation and so the explanation does not seem to make much sense? 

I assume then that the SP you are having problems with is also a member then, in which case you might want to refer them to 

http://www.ukfederation.org.uk/library/uploads/Documents/technical-recommendations-for-participants.pdf

which speaks in some detail about which attributes you should be sending and which attributes they should be expecting.  If nothing
else it might help with establishing a common vocabulary (the one which the UK federation expects people to speak).  Also relevant
(but less so) is 

http://www.ukfederation.org.uk/library/uploads/Documents/federation-technical-specifications.pdf