whois explained

[sam@server ~]$ whois -s -h whois.iana.org service.gov.uk | grep refer:
refer:        whois.nic.uk

[sam@server ~]$ whois -s -h whois.nic.uk service.gov.uk | grep refer: # note there is no referral answer

[sam@server ~]$ whois -s -h whois.nic.uk service.gov.uk | head # in fact it's showing gov.uk, not service.gov.uk
[Querying whois.nic.uk]
[whois.nic.uk]
    Domain name:
        gov.uk

    Registrant:
        UK Cabinet Office

    Registrant type:
        UK Government Body

[sam@server ~]$ whois -s -h whois.ja.net service.gov.uk | head # but ja.net is correct
[Querying whois.ja.net]
[whois.ja.net]

Domain:
	service.gov.uk

Registered For:
	Government Digital Service

Domain Owner: