Premier says 'sorry' to thousands of child migrants

The Child Migrants Programme, which ended 40 years ago, sent poor children to a "better life" in Australia and elsewhere but many of those sent away said they were physically, emotionally or sexually abused.

Speaking on GMTV, Mr Brown said the scheme, which ran from the 1920s to the 1960s, 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. You will see when you meet people who have been affected by this, it has ruined many of their lives," he said.

"It has certainly changed their lives in a way they should never have expected."

Under the scheme, an estimated 150,000 poor youngsters aged between three and 14 were sent to Commonwealth countries such as Australia and Canada 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 very little information about where their offspring were going. Survivors said that on arrival they were separated from brothers and sisters. Forty survivors flew to London to listen to Mr Brown's formal statement later at Westminster in person.

Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd has offered his own apology to the thousands of British migrants who were abused or neglected in state care.