British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has apologised for Britain's role in sending thousands of children to Australia and other former colonies where many ended up in institutions or as farm workers.
The Child Migrants Programme, which ended 40 years ago, sent destitute children to a ‘better life’ in Commonwealth countries such as Australia and Canada but many said they were physically or sexually abused.
The British Prime Minister said the scheme, which ran from the 1920s to the 1960s, left many people emotionally scarred for life.
‘I have to apologise on behalf of a policy that was misguided and it happened right up until the 1960s. You will see when you meet people who have been affected by this, it has ruined many of their lives,’ he told GMTV.
‘It has certainly changed their lives in a way they should never have expected.’
An estimated 150,000 youngsters aged between three and 14 were sent to Commonwealth countries but many ended up being abused in foster homes, state-run orphanages and religious institutions.
Children were often told their parents were dead, while parents were given little information about where their offspring were going.
Survivors sent to Australia have said that when they arrived they were separated from brothers and sisters, and often subjected to brutal physical and sexual abuse by people who were supposed to be caring for them.
Mr Brown revealed his intention to apologise for the actions of previous governments in November.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd last year offered his own apology to the thousands of British migrants who were abused or neglected in state care.
