Government is under pressure from the Progressive Labour Party to reconsider its decision to terminate the ProActive Berkeley contract.

Reports reaching indicate that the party's caucus have instructed Government to reconsider its decision to terminate with a view to having ProActive continue working the site.

PLP spokesperson Scott Simmons would only confirm that there were some "legitimate concerns" expressed about the termination of the contract and that Premier Alex Scott had cancelled his vacation to resolve the issues.

"It is the party's understanding that it is the Premier's intention to pay close attention to the present situation surrounding the school and other significant concerns which require his undivided attention," Mr. Simmons said.

"Following broad discussion in our party caucus and continuing constructive meetings between Government and the principals of ProActive, it is evident that the seriousness and complexity of these matters have not been lost in our deliberation.

"Solutions to these concerns, the Government's concerns, the principal ProActive's concerns and above all the people's concern are at hand."

Asked the tone and tenor of the meeting he said: "There is a feeling and an understanding that we anticipate resolution in a very short time, in coming to agreement.

"There is optimism. There is a feeling that the concern with ProActive will be resolved in the very near future. Our caucus remains optimistic."

But company sources say it is confident that they will prevail in arbitration hearings and they will be better off financially if they don't return to the site.

Any deal resulting in ProActive returning to the site would likely be very costly for Government as the company will insist on having all their claims settled first.

The alternative could be even more costly as any replacement contractor would want strict guarantees from Government to finish off the school.

But indications are that many of the party's key supporters and active members are infuriated at Government's decision.

The PLP draws its core support from black working class people and the leadership is now facing a strong wave of internal dissent over the issue.

A prevailing sentiment is that the termination was unfair and unreasonable and that Government has buckled to political pressure from the Opposition and abandoned its commitment to give support the contractor throughout the life of the project.

Many also accept ProActive's contention that key civil servants were engaged in efforts to sabotage the project from the start ? especially considering that their advice not to give ProActive the contract was overruled by Government.

The company is calling for a public inquiry into the history of the project.

Friday night's caucus meeting started almost immediately after Works Minister Ashfield DeVent's press conference to explain the circumstances surrounding the termination.

Mr. DeVent faced a grilling from a group of protesting ProActive workers who marched off to the party's Court Street headquarters to make their presence felt at the caucus meeting.

"Everything's settled," one worker said when the meeting was all over.

But while party insiders are not revealing the details of the caucus meeting, some are reported to have argued for ProActive's reinstatement on the project and Works Minister Ashfield DeVent was expected to make a public statement over the weekend.

He did make a statement but it was not exactly what some supporters expected.

Mr. DeVent's statement stood by his decision to terminate the contract and said that Government wanted to return the workers to the site as soon as possible.

Only Mr. Simmons' statement, as the official party line, referred to talks with ProActive.

Despite Premier Alex Scott's declarations of support, and Mr. DeVent's insistence that it was a collective Cabinet decision, it is unclear whether Cabinet was comfortable giving ProActive the boot.

Just one Minister, Michael Scott, accompanied Mr. DeVent when he faced the media on Friday, and that was primarily in a legal capacity.

Deputy Premier Ewart Brown was in the building, having just finished a press conference on the taxi industry, but he steered clear of Mr. DeVent's press conference as well as the ensuing confrontation with the workers.

The absence of visible Cabinet support, and the pressure from within the party to renegotiate with ProActive, has fuelled speculation that Mr. DeVent may end up resigning over the saga.

Mr. DeVent's resignation, it is said, would pave the way for fresh talks with the company.

But events may have already overtaken Government ? while a workers' movement for reinstatement is in full swing, ProActive may stand its ground and is reported to be less than keen on taking on the project again.

The PLP caucus agreed to meet again this evening. The Premier could not be reached before presstime last night.