As an amateur, I am really intrigued by this. I don't want to get into the semantics, just a practical solution. Let's suppose you have, say, 6 downlighters, loop in, loop out, one after another...no earth terminals on those fittings...if the "earth" isn't used/necessary, why not just "loop" it beside the light fitting, so ensuring there is a continuous cpc available if and when it may be required in the future? Containment isn't an issue if it's not being used, but is a question to be addressed if/when a class 1 fitting is substituted in the future?
Surely that is better than cutting it back/taping it to the outer of the t&e?
Pith helmet on...