Other UK News In Brief

Forced Migrants Win Apology

The PM Gordon Brown has today apologised for the UK's role in sending more than 130,000 children to former colonies where many suffered abuse. He expressed regret for the "misguided" Child Migrant Programme, telling the Commons he was "truly sorry". He also announced a £6m fund to reunite families that were torn apart. 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.

Legion Of Honour

War veterans who attend the repatriation of soldiers killed in action are to be publicly thanked at a civic ceremony. The event, which will be held at Oxford Town Hall next Wednesday, has been organised by the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Mary Clarkson. Hundreds of people regularly line the route from RAF Lyneham to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford with the old soldiers, many of whom are Royal British Legion members, now set to have their solemn attendance recognised.

M1 Fuel Spill Cleared

No-one has been injured in a fuel spill incident on the M1 which has now reopened following the spillage on the border of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. A lorry overturned and about 40 litres of diesel leaked on to the northbound carriageway between junctions 25 and 26, just before 5am. The northbound carriageway between the two junctions was closed and motorists were diverted for a time.

Castle Keeps Lead

Edinburgh Castle was the most popular paid-for visitor attraction in Scotland last year, new figures reveal. The castle had 1,196,481 visitors through its doors in 2009, a 6% increase on the previous year. Stirling Castle was the second most popular paid-for attraction, drawing 383,293 visitors, an increase of 2%. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow was the most visited free attraction in Scotland, with 1,368,096 people passing through the doors.

(BMcC/GK)