I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 48, 52 and 55 together.
The Deputies will be aware from replies which I already made to parliamentary questions on this subject that I favour using a carrot rather than a big stick approach. I would like to see the greatest possible number of tourist accommodation premises within one listing system which assures quality to the tourist. I believe that this should be based on a voluntary approach to the maximum degree possible.
A compulsory registration system would entail significant administration costs and the introduction of a compulsory system would only be justified by very perusasive arguments. Compulsory registration would imply penalties — fines or imprisonment — for the provision of unregistered accommodation; I am not prepared to go that way.
The quality of accommodation in both approved and unapproved categories has risen dramatically, over recent years. Competition is driving the quality upwards and I would like to maintain competition as the spur to further progress.