GORDON BROWN has written to the leaders of the big oil producing countries asking them to donate some of their oil wealth to boost aid to Africa.

The chancellor, who hopes to have a substantial African aid initiative in place by the time of the G8 summit in Gleneagles next month, has written to leading members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) asking them to contribute.

In his letters he points out that the oil producing countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait have been the big beneficiaries of a rise in world oil prices to a record level of more than $50 a barrel, and that they should redistribute some of that wealth to the world’s poorest countries.

In an interview with GMTV, to be broadcast this morning, Brown says: “I would like to see the oil producing states, the countries that have done well out of the rise in the oil price, being willing to make a contribution also to the new development agenda, and particularly to debt relief and to international aid.”

Treasury officials point to a $20 billion (£11 billion) gap between the $80 billion so far committed to the world’s poorest countries by 2010 and a target of $100 billion, consistent with the United Nations’ millennium development goals. They believe the rich oil nations will benefit from economic development and political stability in Africa and therefore should plug a significant part of the gap.

Estimates by America’s department of energy suggest that Opec’s oil revenues will be at least $345 billion (£190 billion) this year, more than $100 billion up on two years ago, as a result of the jump in oil prices.

Brown also believes he is close to a deal with America on helping Africa. Tony Blair will travel to Washington tomorrow to urge George Bush to contribute to what he wants to bill as a “historic” G8 commitment to helping Africa.

While Bush has said he will not sign up to parts of what he referred to as the “Marshall plan” for Africa launched by Brown on Friday, the US Treasury is thought to be ready to agree to a debt relief package that will remove the $15 billion (£8 billion) of interest payments the poorest countries would otherwise make over the next decade.

Under the deal, Britain has already agreed to assume responsibility for $1.5 billion of those payments, mainly to the Washington-based World Bank.

America is thought to be ready to make a similar gesture, stumping up between $2 billion and $3 billion.

Brown will say today: “I think the Americans are now ready to discuss an agreement on debt relief; I think there is a general understanding that aid to Africa in particular has got to be increased radically over the next few years.”

The US commitment should be firmed up at a meeting of the Group of Seven finance ministers (the G8 excluding Russia) in London next weekend.

Brown will also be seeking confirmation from Europe’s finance ministers at a Brussels meeting on Tuesday that they are committed to a doubling of EU aid by 2010.

Blair’s visit to Washington tomorrow for his meetings with Bush has been overshadowed by the row over a speaking engagement in America for Cherie Blair, for which she is described as the “First Lady of Downing Street”, and for which she is expected to receive a £20,000 fee.

The Commons committee on standards in public life is considering an investigation into the conduct of ministerial spouses. Chris Grayling, shadow leader of the House, said: “ I urge the committee to work on a clear set of recommendations on what should and should not be allowed.”

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