Senior officials at Catterick Garrison and at the Ministry of Defence have been made aware of the concerns of the families who have participated in The Northern Echo's investigation. This is what they had to say:

CATTERICK GARRISON : "ALL the cases quoted to me are where possible suicides were suspected. Both the military and the civilian police forces have investigated and their findings were made available to the coroner.

"It really would now be inappropriate to comment any further, especially as the families are now trying to link the issue to calls for a public inquiry down at Deepcut, which has no connection whatsoever to any deaths at the infantry training centre at Catterick."

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE: "We have procedures when there have been reports of bullying.

Any allegations of such behaviour are thoroughly investigated. If allegations are proven, appropriate action will be taken against the perpetrators which could result in dismissal from the service.

"Recruits can report incidents up the chain of command, which could be a corporal and, above him, a sergeant and a captain.

"The Army Welfare Service is completely anonymous. Soldiers can contact it and there are professional counsellors on hand. If soldiers do not want to go to a corporal, they can go to them and say this is what is happening to me. These people are counsellors and can advise them. You do not have to give your name, if you do there would be a record.

"Regarding the rape allegation, I can not tell you what the situation was in 1985 but the reporting chain has always been there. The Army has become more aware of the human rights system and people are much more approachable. We are an evolving service and we have to conform to human rights.

"The soldier could have reported it up the chain of command. If it is a serious allegation, such as rape, the civilian police would get involved. We would bring them in because it is a criminal offence.

"It is handed to the police and we can't deal with it."

* Regarding calls for a public inquiry into non-combatant deaths at British Army bases in the UK, including Catterick Garrison, the spokeswoman said: "All we can do is provide information. We will have to wait and see the results of the police investigation and the Government will decide. It is not the military's decision but we would obviously be answerable to it."