GOVERNMENT is refusing to divulge details of an apparent settlement with construction firm Pro-Active management Systems ? even though it involves millions of dollars of taxpayers? money, .

Last week the revealed that the construction firm ? which was sacked by the Ministry of Works & Engineering as the main contractor for the trouble-hit Berkeley project in August 1994 ? had arrived at a behind-closed-doors deal with Government.

Sources close to the dispute claimed that the company, which was seeking compensation for what it alleged was wrongful dismissal, was to be awarded more than $9 million.

Last Thursday this newspaper e-mailed Department of Communication & Information director Beverle Lottimore, asking if the Premier could confirm the story.

Ms Lottimore finally responded yesterday afternoon after repeated inquiries from this newspaper, again asking if the story could be confirmed.

Ms Lottimore?s secretary said: ?The response is that the Premier will not comment on the matter because there was an agreement between all parties that there will be no comment.?

When asked to clarify if a deal had been reached, the secretary said: ?The Premier is not going to say yes or no.?

According to one source, the deal means all sub-contractors owed money by Pro-Active will be paid for their work while Government will also have to foot the bill for legal costs.