THE week can only have been another very difficult time in the life of Peter Lawrence, the father of missing York chef Claudia Lawrence.

Monday’s announcement of a fresh arrest, part of the police inquiry into Claudia’s disappearance six years ago, is undoubtedly positive news. However, it must have brought back a great deal of painful emotion for relatives who are still awaiting the crucial information that will explain her baffling disappearance.

It is remarkable that in the midst of such trouble, Mr Lawrence has been able to devote time and energy to helping others facing similar anguish. He and families of missing people throughout Britain have long been campaigning to bring about a change in the law to help stricken relatives cope.

Their efforts bore fruit this week when the Government announced proposed changes to this country’s guardianship law.

The revisions would make it easier for families to deal with their absent family members' property and financial affairs, and would allow them to suspend direct debits for mobile phone and utility bills, or to make mortgage payments.

Such changes would be both practical and merciful, sparing people unnecessary anguish at a time of great personal difficulty. They make perfect sense to us.

The only difficulty is that the changes have been announced shortly before a general election, and it is hard to be sure what will happen in the wake of polling day.

Susannah Drury, director of policy and advocacy for the Missing People charity, is urging that the changes are not forgotten, and we join with her in that message.

As she points out, they are a huge step forward for families who are otherwise helpless to stop the lives of their loved ones from unravelling as they wait and hope to hear from them once more. A government of any complexion should have the compassion and the good sense to address such concerns.