I like the switches on the outlets in the UK just for safety reasons. It does make me uneasy when I see the spark as I plug something in!
There is a spark at the switch when you operate it as well. I suppose I can understand how seeing a little spark might be disconcerting, but it's not really a safety issue.
The British wiring code specified switches when D.C. supplies were used in the past for technical reasons, but has never required them on A.C. supplies (which are used everywhere now). People just expect switched outlets in most places by convention, but they are not required.
Few other countries have them: Ireland, Malta, and other places which use British-style sockets, plus Australia, New Zealand, and countries which follow their practices. The rest of the world gets along quite well without them.
