The government is failing to take account of the effect of the HIV pandemic on the developing world's ability to repay its debts, Caroline Spelman has warned.

Speaking at the Conservative Party conference, the shadow international development secretary said nations struggling with an Aids timebomb were being forced to repay debts at a time when their people were dieing in large numbers.

"No account is taken by the government of HIV as a factor in debt relief," said Spelman.

"I ask you, is it morally right to make a country with a very high level of HIV/AIDS pay us back its debts when the first call on that money should be to treat the sick and their dependents? How can that be right?"

The shadow Cabinet minister also slammed Labour's failure to match its words with deeds.

"It's all very well Tony Blair saying that we want to heal the scars of Africa but his rhetoric will not feed, clothe or shelter those who are suffering," said Spelman.

"You have to engage your head and your heart to develop practical solutions, which as we have seen all this week, this is what Conservatives are good at."

And she challenged the notion that the Tories had a poor record on international development issues.

"Let's dismiss the myth that Conservatives are somehow less caring about the world's poor," she said.

"No party has a monopoly on compassion and none of us are going into the next election ignoring international development. It's just a question of who will do a better job."