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We have been made aware of the point about alcohol licences and I will bring in Craig McGuffie. Craig, do you want to comment on what we are doing in that respect?

There are a number of points. One is about trying to strike a balance. For example, we talked about the temporary exemptions and other issues that were raised. That has been the most pertinent issue, in terms of bringing things forward. Obviously, there were discussions about how far to go at this stage—we are still in a transitional stage, which is important. We agreed that we would discuss that particular point with the expert group.

Exemptions and provisional licences were the things that were raised as priorities in the feedback, not just from the ASSC but from other groups. At the moment, those are the most important things that we need to pick up on. Going forward, through the expert group that I talked about and the on-going engagement with stakeholders, we will continue to look at the issues. If we need to bring something back, we will certainly do so. We will also be cognisant of what the committee says. It was felt that those were the most important points that had to be raised.

There is a broader discussion, and it is not just with the stakeholders—it is also with the likes of SOLAR and so on. It was always going to be a balancing act to consider the key things that we need to take forward. We will continue to discuss the issue. There has been on-going dialogue all the way through, and there will continue to be on-going dialogue. As I referenced, the expert group will continue to consider the issues once the scheme is fully operational and in place.

We have included the most important things that we need now, but we are not knocking back the issues that stakeholders have raised. We will continue to discuss the issues with the stakeholders and with SOLAR and others.

Craig, do you want to come in, and then I will come back on that point?

Of course.

I am getting there.

I would like to pick up on the points that were raised, I said that we acted on the most important points from stakeholders. For example, I mentioned the Short Term Accommodation Association’s view.

I will continue to engage with the committee and with stakeholders. I will also reflect on what the committee has said today. Convener, if the committee wishes to have additional information, it can certainly invite me back at some other stage. In the meantime, I will continue with the discussions and reflect on what has been said today. I will also be happy to meet the committee or individual members at a further stage if that is thought to be appropriate.

Yes—I will bring in Jessica Niven on that particular point. As you are aware, we had hoped to have those figures available for the committee. Perhaps Jess can advise on when it looks likely that that report will be published.

There are a number of things there, Mr Griffin. One question is whether we decide to go down the legislative route for the other issues that have been raised. Something might require an SSI or guidelines, and we will continue to discuss that. We have brought forward what we have brought forward to try to address all the key issues that were raised when I was in committee and between when we brought the scheme and where we are now.

We will continue to look at the evidence in the figures for short-term lets and the accommodation in the sector. I know that anecdotal statements have been made, but I will continue to engage with the expert group on the evidence that comes through. If I need to, I will introduce legislation or guidelines at a time when I think that it would be relevant to support the sector on that. I have made it clear that I am happy to engage with the committee at any time on what is being brought forward, whether that is through correspondence or whatever.

The approach is very much one of continuing the discussions. The establishment of the expert group indicates that we are really willing to do that. The engagement that I have had will continue, even beyond the transitional phase.

It would be difficult to put a timeline on it as such, but if we collectively feel that we need to introduce amended guidance or legislation, that will be done at the time that I think it would be relevant to do that.

Why we are bringing these things forward now is one of the key questions that have been asked. There are different opinions in the sector about what is important. The STA, as I mentioned, thinks that the measures strike the right balance, but it is an on-going dialogue. I think that they have struck the right balance.

Yes. Pretty early on, we had feedback from the sector about what the transfer scheme would look like. It would have been a relatively straightforward process, but the feedback suggested that we should make it simpler and more flexible, so that if someone wanted to transfer a licence to a family member or anybody else, they could do that. Jess Niven noted that if a licence was being transferred and there were little or no changes, the process should be pretty straightforward. Obviously, if there had been a material change, as with planning, there would need to be an updated description to ensure that the safety of the premises was not affected. Jess, do you want to add anything on that?

I can take that away and follow it up with you later. I know that we have had feedback on the issue. There might be issues around how easy it is to monitor what is happening with a new-build property compared with a building that is undergoing a conversion. Jessica Niven might be able to give you more information.