Dear Editor,

Methods of local taxation is a hot topic at the moment, so I thought I might like to add my two penn'th.

There are several methods of taxation which local authorities can use. These include (a) property tax (b) local income tax (c) poll tax, and (d) public highway use tax (PHUT) for private purposes.

There may be residents who do not recognise the fourth description. However everyone will be aware of parking permits. After a brief reflection, it will become obvious that these are an example of a PHUT.

Barnet Council is now proposing a graduated form of this tax ( first car £35, second car £65, third car £90). Reactions to this seem to vary from passive acceptance to incandescence.

I propose that the "public highway use tax", the PHUT, be extracted in another,fairer, more ethical, way. First, people pay by the length of a vehicle to be parked on the public highway. Second, everyone in Barnet has to pay to use the roads for parking.

Some people have pointed out to me that with such an implementation, the tax burden would fall unfairly on some, such as windows cleaners, but, hey, inequity is the rule in taxation, not the exception...

I would be interested to read the comments of other readers...