Their rules require different fuses according to the appliance's rated current and wire diameter, so no. I think you could make a smart outlet that switches fuses according to what's plugged in, but it would cost a fortune.
In the UK, until fairly recently, it was illegal to sell a product with a plug attached. Consumers had to wire their own plugs to their electrical devices before use.
Before that time, almost everything (certainly everything I purchased) came without a plug and you had to buy a plug and wire it yourself. Probably because these things are expensive, and costs could be reduced by leaving them out.
I have a suspicion you have it exactly backwards. It's now a requirement for some|many devices to have non-removable moulded plugs (although they still have replaceable fuses).
I'm not certain on the exact motivation, but I think it's a mix of preventing people doing it wrong, and better mechanical properties (especially strain-relief) of moulded plugs.
It's also required now that the live/neutral pins be partially insulated (the 1/3rd closest to the plug or so) to prevent shock hazards to people curling their fingers around the plug when inserting or removing.
It wasn't uncommon for us to have spare cord and plugs either, although the change of law to require moulded plugs obviated the need for any of it.
I remember us having to wire up kettles, lamps, and irons when I was a kid. And you'd sometimes go to antique (or second hand) shops and come across old appliances that had no cord attached. Anecdotally, we bought an old style telephone that we then had to wire back up.
That being said, I can't corroborate any claim that this was backed by legislation.
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEC_60906-1