Imperialism charge over English history curriculum

THE UK government has been accused of a "blatant attempt" to revive imperialism by consulting a right-wing Scottish historians on England's national curriculum.

Labour former minister Lord Clinton-Davis pointed to reports that the curriculum had been discussed with Scots- born historian Niall Ferguson and fellow academic Andrew Roberts.

"Are not these particular appointments a blatant attempt to revive imperialist concepts?" he demanded at question time in the House of Lords

"Why is it thought by this government that right-wingers such as Niall Ferguson and Andrew Roberts, however articulate they may be, with their outdated views of empire can make a useful contribution to the modern history syllabus?"

But education minister Lord Hill of Oareford said it was "not at all certain" that they had been asked to take part and details of the review of the curriculum would be announced "in due course".

He added: "We plan to consult a wide range of interested parties to ensure that our curriculum is in line with those of the highest performing jurisdictions in the world."

Lord Hill said the government wanted to give children a "sense of Britain's history and the broad sweep and chronological development of history over time".