Gordan Brown has announced this week he will be issuing an apology to the tens of thousands of child migrants, extricated from Britain between 1920 to 1967, to live abroad. They left with the promise of a better life, however, many faced years of abuse, hard labour and gross mistreatment.
Brown’s apology comes forty years after the programme was abolished, following on from Australian President Kevin Rudd’s apology in 2006 to those children who endured abuse in his country. The children, aged between 3 and 14, were taken mainly to Australia and Canada, the majority of whom were from poor backgrounds and already under some form of care. They faced years of un-paid work and in many cases they were cut off completely from families or told they were orphans. A key implication to the programme, which sent 150,000 abroad, was the aim to supply common wealth countries with sufficient “white stock” (Guardian), particularly in relation to Australia. The apology, although late coming, offers some recognition that these state policies were grossly misguided and regrettable.
Gordan Brown’s confirms the “time is now right” for the apology, which comes after discussions with the charities that represent the child migrants, he adds, “it is important we take the time to listen to the voices of the survivors and victims of these misguided policies”. Some critics may argue that this apology is nothing more then a stunt, and frankly too late in time. However, for those remaining victims, many of whom are understandably still angry for their lost childhood and right to live as a British citizen, to them this apology will act as some form of remorseful recognition of the treatment they endured.
Although leader Brown nor Rudd were around when the abuse occurred, as leading heads of state, their apology appreciates that the state conduct and behaviour during this period was vastly mistaken. And offers some hope that such conduct will not occur in the future. Ed Balls, the children’s secretary, admits the child programme was a “stain on our society”.
Forty years on, many of those who suffered are still raw with emotion, and although an apology cannot erase the past, as one victim told the Guardian, it is better then never; “we’ve suffered all our lives. For the government of England to apologise to us, it makes it right. Even if it’s late, it’s better than not at all”.
