The leader of the Commons has defended his remark that the deaths at the Deepcut Army barracks were "too many to be a coincidence".

Peter Hain said the comments made to local newspaper correspondents earlier in the week and widely reported in the press did not conflict with the Ministry of Defence's position.

Last week defence minister Adam Ingram announced a new inquiry into the deaths following the revelations of bullying.

And Liberal Democrat spokesman Paul Tyler claimed that Hain's view was a tacit endorsement of criticisms that the investigation would not go far enough.

"Will the leader of the House give this House an opportunity to express a view on the suitability of the very limited review that is now taking place?" Tyler asked during a session of business questions on Thursday.

"His comments would suggest that the ministry is inadequate to do this job, because otherwise why is making these comments at this stage after all these years of this going on?

"Quite rightly, the comments he has made [suggest] that he finds this very disturbing.

"Therefore I hope he will agree that we need a much more substantial debate in this House, on a substantive motion, so we can express a view about the adequacy of the investigation that is now taking place."

Hain replied that he was simply responding to a question from reporters.

"Why I am I making these comments now? Because on Tuesday when I met regional political editors I was asked a question about it," he told MPs. "That is why I answered the question."

"There is nothing I have said that is any way different from what the minister of state said at this despatch box only a week or so ago, and what the defence secretary has said," Hain added.

"I support their programme of an investigation. I think that is the best way to sort this out.

"He is seeking to suggest there is a difference of opinion between myself and the defence department. There isn't."