A SENIOR Government minister says a public inquiry into the deaths of soldiers at Britain's biggest Army base could take too long.

Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram made the comment during a visit to Catterick, in North Yorkshire.

Mr Ingram inspected facilities at the Infantry Training Centre on the same site as the garrison, which is home to hundreds of serving soldiers.

Although the Infantry Training Centre (ITC) enjoys a good record, there have been a number of deaths among the regiments stationed at the nearby garrison.

Parents are demanding an investigation into the deaths and bullying allegations within the regiments.

They say an inquiry is vital if they are to learn why their loved ones died.

But Mr Ingram said: "My view about public inquiries is that, by their very nature, they take a long time to come to a conclusion.

"I believe that if there's a problem identified, we fix it as soon as possible."

The minister denied bullying was endemic in the military, adding that the Army had been unfairly criticised on its record of caring for young recruits.

He said he was looking to introduce an independent complaints procedure, but said this would not look at old cases.

He also rejected claims that information was withheld from the families of soldiers who had died outside combat.

He said: "We do not unreasonably withhold information unless there are legal grounds for doing so.

"Sometimes, the Armed Forces will not have the information because it will be with the police or coroner."

Lynn Farr, whose son Daniel died at the base in 1997, has repeatedly called for a public inquiry into all non-combat deaths in the Army.

She said last night: "A public inquiry is the only way we can get witnesses into a court room and get the truth.

"It's fine talking about police investigations and coroner's courts, but these can't subpoena people to attend."

Mrs Farr has set up Daniel's Trust to help recruits being bullied and raise awareness of Army non-combat deaths.

Mr Ingram inspected new welfare facilities, including new barracks, during yesterday's visit to the ITC.

He chatted with recruits and took part in a Big Brew coffee morning to raise money for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association.