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PM to make child migrants apology PM apologises to child migrants
(about 3 hours later)
Gordon Brown is set to apologise for the UK's role in sending more than 130,000 children to former colonies where many suffered abuse. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has apologised for the UK's role in sending more than 130,000 children to former colonies where many suffered abuse.
The Child Migrants Programme, which ran from the 1920s to the 1960s, sent poor children to a "better life" in countries such as Australia and Canada. He expressed regret for the "misguided" Child Migrant Programme, telling the Commons he was "truly sorry".
But many were abused and ended up in institutions or as labourers on farms. He also announced a £6m fund to reunite families that were torn apart.
The prime minister is due to express regret for the scheme, in the Commons, in a move first announced in November. The scheme sent poor children for a "better life" to countries like Canada and Australia from the 1920s to 1960s, but many were abused and lied to.
Mr Brown said the scheme ruined the lives of many people.
"I have to apologise on behalf of a policy that was misguided and it happened right up until the 1960s," he told GMTV.
"You will see when you meet people who have been affected by this, it has ruined many of their lives.
"It has certainly changed their lives in a way they should never have expected."
Brutal abuseBrutal abuse
Mr Brown said: "To all those former child migrants and their families... we are truly sorry. They were let down.
"We are sorry they were allowed to be sent away at the time when they were most vulnerable. We are sorry that instead of caring for them this country turned its back.
HISTORY OF UK CHILD MIGRANTS UK is the only country with a sustained history of child migration - over four centuriesIn 1618, 100 sent from London to Richmond, VirginiaIn total 130,000 sent from the UK to Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) and AustraliaPost-war, 7,000 shipped to Australia and 1,300 to New Zealand, Rhodesia and Canada Source: Child Migrants Trust Australia 'sorry' for child abuse Ordeal of Australia's child migrants Migrant recalls 'stolen life'
"And we are sorry that the voices of these children were not always heard, their cries for help not always heeded. And we are sorry that it has taken so long for this important day to come and for the full and unconditional apology that is justly deserved."
He also said they were cruelly lied to and their childhoods "robbed".
More than 130,000 children, aged between three and 14, were sent to Commonwealth countries.More than 130,000 children, aged between three and 14, were sent to Commonwealth countries.
As they were shipped out of Britain, many were wrongly told their parents were dead, while parents were given very little information about where their children were going.As they were shipped out of Britain, many were wrongly told their parents were dead, while parents were given very little information about where their children were going.
HISTORY OF UK CHILD MIGRANTS UK is the only country with a sustained history of child migration - over four centuriesIn 1618, 100 sent from London to Richmond, VirginiaIn total 130,000 sent from the UK to Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) and AustraliaPost-war, 7,000 shipped to Australia and 1,300 to New Zealand, Rhodesia and Canada Source: Child Migrants Trust Australia 'sorry' for child abuse Ordeal of Australia's child migrants Migrant recalls 'stolen life'
The former child migrants have told how on arrival they were separated from their siblings, and put into foster homes, state-run orphanages and religious institutions. Others were educated only for farm work.The former child migrants have told how on arrival they were separated from their siblings, and put into foster homes, state-run orphanages and religious institutions. Others were educated only for farm work.
Many were subjected to brutal physical and sexual abuse by those who were meant to be caring for them.Many were subjected to brutal physical and sexual abuse by those who were meant to be caring for them.
Mr Brown announced he was planning to apologise in November, when Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said sorry for his country's part in the tragedy. Mr Brown announced he was planning to apologise in November, when Australia's prime minister Kevin Rudd said sorry for his country's part in the tragedy.
No British prime minister has ever delivered an official apology, despite repeated demands from victims' groups. Survivors attended
Until now, no British prime minister has ever delivered an official apology, despite repeated demands from victims' groups.
Tony Costa, who grew up in orphanages in the UK until he was sent to Australia at the age of 12, told the BBC that the prime minister's apology would not be too late.Tony Costa, who grew up in orphanages in the UK until he was sent to Australia at the age of 12, told the BBC that the prime minister's apology would not be too late.
Mr Costa said of his experiences: "Many of us, myself I don't deny it, I would often cry myself to sleep, many a night.Mr Costa said of his experiences: "Many of us, myself I don't deny it, I would often cry myself to sleep, many a night.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
"And we were there until we were 16 years of age. To this day, in the early hours of the morning, it's nothing uncommon for me to wake up in a sweat, thinking of my time whilst in these institutions.""And we were there until we were 16 years of age. To this day, in the early hours of the morning, it's nothing uncommon for me to wake up in a sweat, thinking of my time whilst in these institutions."
Survivors attending
Last week, Britain's High Commissioner to Australia, Baroness Amos, said the apology would be an "important milestone".Last week, Britain's High Commissioner to Australia, Baroness Amos, said the apology would be an "important milestone".
"Over the past few months I have met many whose lives were blighted, and heard their personal stories," she said"Over the past few months I have met many whose lives were blighted, and heard their personal stories," she said
"We want not just to bear witness to the past but to look forward to a future where these terrible events will not be repeated.". "We want not just to bear witness to the past but to look forward to a future where these terrible events will not be repeated."
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
Harold Haig, secretary of the International Association of Former Child Migrants and their Families, said: "For many former child migrants and their families, the apology will help to heal a painful past."Harold Haig, secretary of the International Association of Former Child Migrants and their Families, said: "For many former child migrants and their families, the apology will help to heal a painful past."
Australian MP Steve Irons, who played a part in lobbying for Canberra's 2009 apology, also welcomed the UK move.Australian MP Steve Irons, who played a part in lobbying for Canberra's 2009 apology, also welcomed the UK move.
Mr Irons said: "The abuse suffered will never be forgotten by the individuals concerned. However it is an important part of the healing process for victims to finally hear that government and society believes them and is sorry."Mr Irons said: "The abuse suffered will never be forgotten by the individuals concerned. However it is an important part of the healing process for victims to finally hear that government and society believes them and is sorry."
The wording of the apology by Mr Brown is believed to have been discussed with charities representing former child migrants and their families. The wording of Mr Brown's apology is believed to have been discussed with charities representing former child migrants and their families.
Sixty survivors have apparently been flown to London so they can listen to the statement in person. Some 7,000 child migrants from Britain still live in Australia. Sixty survivors were flown to London so they could listen to the statement in person. Some 7,000 child migrants from Britain still live in Australia.
The prime minister is also expected to make an announcement about future support for those affected.
Were you a child migrant? How did it affect you? If you'd like to share your experiences you can use the form below.Were you a child migrant? How did it affect you? If you'd like to share your experiences you can use the form below.
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