No reason to share guilt trip

The Government is reportedly setting out its plans for next year's bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has been drawing up ideas for the March 25 anniversary, including the possibility of a "statement of regret".

Well, this politically correct Government can wring their hands all they like, but I see no reason why I should share their guilt trip.

My ancestors played no part in the slave trade. In fact it is highly likely many of them were treated no better than slaves. When Parliament abolished black slavery, white boys - of four, five and six years of age - were forced to climb and clean the flues in Parliament's chambers.

In the 18th and 19th century, many more white children were forced to work for up to 16 hours a day in locked factories. They were forced to run machinery while eating meals of bread and water and were beaten by overseers if they stopped working for a few seconds.

Crippling and fatal accidents were common, especially among those children used to pull trucks in mines.

The first American slaves were white. They were sent in their millions from here, in the form of deported convicts, political prisoners and kidnapped children.

Transportation to Australia was still common punishment up until the late 1800s and orphans were sent to Australia as late as the 1950s, yet once again they have been forgotten.

Helen Foulkes, Shrewsbury