PRESIDENT CHÁVEZ of Venezuela is striking a deal with Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London, to supply Londoners with cheap fuel in return for access to London’s CCTV and genetic fingerprinting expertise.

Under the barter agreement Señor Chávez, who used the military to suppress political protests in 2004, will acquire details of how the capital’s security and public order systems operate. The proposals include advising on how to set up a CCTV system and how to use genetic scanning and fingerprinting for the identification of criminals.

In return, it is thought that the transaction will give London diesel for its 8,000 buses at prices up to 40 per cent lower than the normal market level.

The details of the arrangement will be hammered out over the next two to three months, the Mayor said yesterday. The initial offer was made during a visit to London by Señor Chávez in May and is similar to deals struck with Boston and New York.

Señor Chávez and Mr Livingstone, both posterboys for the socialist movement, believe that the agreement will benefit the poor of London.

It is not clear how the lower fuel costs will be passed on to consumers, but those identified as “poor” may be given special identity cards to use on public transport.

The cheaper tickets would help to offset the massive increase in bus fares that the Mayor announced this week. The cash fare on London buses will rise from £1.50 to £2 from the start of next year.

Barter negotiations have been held over the summer between high-ranking officials at the Venezuelan Embassy and Mr Livingstone’s top lieutenants.

The Times has seen a memo containing two pages of taxpayer-funded favours that London is willing to trade for cheap fuel. They include how to integrate and manage overground traffic; how to route buses; how to develop a system of taxi tariffs; how to limit carbon dioxide emissions; and how to develop adult education programmes.

Experts in these fields will be sent to Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, to work with authorities there. The cost of the trips will be defrayed by taxpayers.

In a section titled Security and Public Order, the memo describes how Venezuela will learn from London’s CCTV systems and how the Metropolitan Police maintain order.

The memo proposes developing a system of genetic scanning and fingerprinting. It says: “This is an area where the UK is a world leader.”

The memo also discusses using London buses as advertising hoardings to promote the South American country.

A spokesperson for the Mayor said: “President Chávez and Mayor Livingstone have asked their officials to investigate potential areas of economic co-operation between London and Venezuela. Discussions are ongoing.”

Angie Bray, leader of the Conservatives in the London Assembly, said: “The real purpose of this deal is for Ken Livingstone and the Venezuelan Government to indulge in a cross-Atlantic socialist propaganda fest.”

The memo suggests that PDVSA, the state oil company of Venezuela, will ship diesel to London by doing deals with companies such as BP and Shell. These suppliers would recoup the discounts given to London through extra supplies given by PDVSA in the Americas.

LEFT AND RIGHT

Hugo Chávez

Quote: “Capitalism leads us straight to hell”

Ken Livingstone

Quotes: “Worldwide, capitalism kills more people every day than Hitler did. And he was crazy”

“Anybody who enjoys being in the House of Commons probably needs psychiatric help”

Times Recommends

• Minister in talks with Saudis to protect creditors
• Premier Inn hits back in £29-a-room row
• Bankers hit back at 'populist' bonus supertax