Sir, Along with the many other people living within areas of Oxford where residents' parking zones apply, we recently received a consultation questionnaire from the county council regarding the proposed introduction of fees for residents' parking and visitor permits.

In our view, question three on the questionnaire "Do you agree or disagree that charging for residents' parking permits will help restrain car ownership in Oxford" can be interpreted as inferring that the county council considers that it has a legitimate right to constrain car ownership. We would contend that it most certainly does not restraining car utilisation may fall within its bailiwick, but not even the national Government has the right to restrain car ownership.

In this context, Oxford residents are, therefore, being asked to give an opinion on a matter that may be unlawful, and we would respectfully suggest that the county council should now withdraw its questionnaire until such time as it is able to seek public consultation on matters that actually fall within its jurisdiction.

Simon and Rhona Walker, Oxford