I HAVE recently come across a campaign I should like to share with readers through your letters page. The charity War On Want is asking Gordon Brown to introduce a Tobin Tax on currency speculation. They claim this would enormously help people in developing countries.

Apparently, up to two trillion dollars (that's two thousand billion dollars) is exchanged between currencies on the world's markets every day.

Ninety-five per cent of this is speculation - people trying to make a quick profit by guessing which way exchange rates are likely to move. This does not help international investment or trade.

War On Want is asking for a small tax of 0.25 per cent to be levied on these unproductive and damaging transactions.

This will calm financial markets and help developing countries such as Brazil whose economy has been undermined by speculation in recent years. The tax could also raise revenue of up to $250 billion for international development.

I think this is an excellent idea and I have written to Gordon Brown asking him to bring it up with European, American and Japanese Governments. I urge your readers to do the same. More information can be had directly from War On Want by calling 0171 620 1111.

S P Hall,

McHugh Court,

Heslington, York.

Updated: 11:22 Saturday, September 01, 2001