MPs to launch town hall parking inquiry An inquiry by the all-party Transport Select Committee will examine whether town halls should be given greater powers to spend the money they raise as they wish. Currently local authorities can only spend parking revenue on transport, they are forbidden to treat motorists as a cash cow, using the money they raise to subsidise other services and bring down council tax. The investigation will also examine the case for a Workplace Parking Levy, which would see companies and their employees paying a fee for using a staff car park. Britain's first scheme is in force in Nottingham and other cities have considered following suit. The Committee will examine whether the levy would be more likely to make commuters use public transport or park and ride services. MPs will also investigate whether London councils should be treated differently from other parts of the country given the huge surpluses some authorities - Westminster in particular - generate and the large number of foreign registered cars. Other issues to be considered in the inquiry will include how councils use parking control to manage congestion while also seeking to encourage people to come into town centres and whether signs are clear and comprehensible.