British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Wednesday apologized on behalf of the nation for Britain's role in sending thousands of children overseas until the late 1960s.

At a reception in Westminster, Brown told a group of former child migrants "welcome home, you are with friends."

He also announced that Family Restoration Fund worth 6 million pounds (9.6 million U.S. dollars) will be set up to support costs for former child migrants who wish to be reunited with their families.

In the post-war era, more than 8,000 children were shipped to Australia, New Zealand, Zimbabwe and Canada. Most were told they would be placed in foster families but many ended up being poorly treated on farms and in religious institutions.

Brown said: "On behalf of this nation, to all former child migrants and to all families, we are truly sorry you were let down. We are sorry that you were allowed to be sent away when you were at your most vulnerable. We are sorry that instead of caring for you, your country did turn its back on you. We are sorry that its taken so long for this important day to come round and for you to receive the apology that you so richly deserve."

Responding to the apology on behalf of those who were affected by the policies, Harold Haig, secretary of the International Child Migrants Association, said it was a "momentous day."

He added that today is a time for reflection and remembrance for the migrants who have traveled here today to hear the apology in person and for the many more who did not make the trip.

Brown paid tribute to the Child Migrants Trust, which he hailed as a "voice for many that were so long unheard" and to the Commons Health Select Committee, which he said first brought the issue to his attention.

Events are also set to be held in Australia on Thursday for child migrants who were unable to make the journey to Britain.

Earlier, Brown made a statement to the House of Commons about the child migration policy in which he said it was right to "recognize the human cost associated with this shameful episode of history."