UK soldiers killed in Iraq awaiting inquests

The British government pledged today that it would act after it was revealed that the families of more than 50 soldiers killed in Iraq are still waiting for inquests.

Up to 56 cases, including deaths that occurred three years ago, with the Coroner's Office in Oxfordshire, southern England, where the bodies of most servicemen killed in Iraq are flown to.

The number, which includes 31 deaths from 2003, nine from 2004 and seven from 2005, represent half of the 113 British soldiers killed since the Iraq invasion.

The Department for Constitutional Affairs said it was acting on the delay, which was first revealed in parliament that 47 inquests still had to be heard.

"We are aware of the problem. We will be talking with the coroner and Ministry of Defense about the backlog to see what is needed," a spokeswoman was quoted saying by London's Evening Standard newspaper Thursday.

The Department for Constitutional Affairs said it was "aware" of the problem and said officers would be investigating the backlog to "see what is needed." The government has already made 80,000 pounds ($ 140,000) available to pay for more staff at the Oxfordshire coroner's office, but relatives of soldiers have urged for more resources to be made available so inquests can take place.

The rising death toll has been a source of criticism of the war from many of the families, who have joined together in campaigning for the withdrawal of British troops in Iraq.