Sorry for the idiotic questions ....but:

Which way does the oil slinger on the nose of the crank go - dished part towards the timing cover or towards the timing chain?

What does it do, and what happens when it's fitted the wrong way around or not at all?

Thanks for clearing that up!

Cheers!

Normally the dish, or raised edge if you like, faces away from the drive mechanism, whether belt or chain.
Methinks that is to prevent a sharp edge that may catch on the belt/chain, causing an awful sound and trashing of bits
The slinger, as the name suggests, throws oil away at a tangent from the crank shaft, to make life a wee bit easier for the timing cover crankshaft seal.
Probably helps to lube the chain as well.
Wrong way round, as mentioned, there may be a clashing of metal and mincing of the slinger.
That would depend on the clearance of course between the slinger and the chain.
Without it, the front seal may have a hard time and weep about it all

Ah,I see. Better turn it around then