THE Government has acted to address York's inquest delays, and not before time.

By despatching Home Office officials to meet with coroner Donald Coverdale, Whitehall has finally acknowledged there is a problem.

We must thank Anne McIntosh for prompting action. Her letter rightly branded the four-year gap between the death of Carli Barry and the inquest "totally unacceptable".

The reply from Home Office minister Paul Goggins agreed it is "highly unsatisfactory that nothing seems to have happened".

This is not the first time an MP has taken up this issue, although Miss McIntosh's intervention has proved more effective than that by Hugh Bayley last year.

Action had to come eventually. Sadly, shockingly, Carli Barry's loved ones are not alone in suffering the torment of a long-delayed inquest. Tonight we list a number of cases where Mr Coverdale gave his verdict several years after the death occurred.

Families affected have told us the wait has added to their agony. Until the inquest is concluded, their questions are left unanswered, their life is put on hold, their grief increased and extended.

Mr Coverdale says the time to hold inquests in York has been cut. If so, that is welcome news.

The Home Office must now ascertain whether enough has been done. If not, the Lord Chancellor must take action. It is his duty to the bereaved.

Updated: 11:22 Monday, February 07, 2005