Somewhat surprisingly, the government gets more money from the lease of shops than from the lease of residences, details provided by Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg to Stefan Buontempo show.
While the government got Lm621,000 from the lease of residences in 2006, it received no less than Lm3.8 million for commercial properties, including shops.
Lm10,000 and
no boat so far
A fisherman was promised Lm20,000 in EU funds to replace his boat but so far, Lm10,000 down the line, no boat has been presented for registration.
Fisheries Minister George Pullicino told Labour MP Evarist Bartolo the sad story of this individual.
On 30 September 2003 this man signed a contract that bound him to replace his former boat, Ruggero Primo, which had sunk at Manoel Island. He was given Lm5,000 in advance.
The fisherman brought the motor launch Gabbiano I but before he could register it, he went out fishing in it and it sank.
Nevertheless, on 19 September 2006 the man was given another Lm5,000 to replace his boat. It was last March that the division was informed that the man was bringing to Malta another motor launch Fratello Marino II to replace Gabbiano I.
The remaining Lm10,000 will be given to this man once he registers his boat, the minister said.
Fining timeshare touts
Five Outside Promotional Contacts have been fined since the beginning of this year, Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech told Mr Bartolo.
Two fines of Lm200 were levied since the OPCs were found to have hidden the OPC badge which should be visible at all times.
Two fines of Lm200 each were levied because OPCs tarried in front of a commercial outlet.
A Lm200 fine was levied for an OPC who had spoken to tourists from his car.
Another Lm200 fine was levied for an OPC badge that was found to have been tampered with.
And a Lm1,000 fine was levied because an OPC was aggressive with tourists.
Over the same period no fewer than 79 checks was carried out on OPC at Bugibba and Qawra. Furthermore two inspectors have been employed on a definite contract as from mid-April to increase the surveillance of the areas where OPCs operate, the minister said.