Labour leader Joseph Muscat has expressed reservations on a proposal by the lobby group Gift of Life (GOL) to entrench a ban on abortion in the Constitution.

Dr Muscat this morning discussed the subject with a delegation from GOL.

The group in a statement later did not directly mention Dr Muscat's reservations, but said Dr Muscat had asked for more time to allow him and the MLP to reflect on the proposal.

"We welcome the fact that Dr Muscat mentioned that he will use this time to exchange opinions with other Members of Parliament to help to determine the way forward," GOL said.

It said the meeting was "cordial and very constructive" during which views were exchanged on the proposed amendment to the Constitution.

"We are pleased that Dr Muscat has again reiterated that the party is firmly against abortion. We explained that our proposal has more to do with acting in favour of human life," GOL said.

"Dr Muscat said that he agreed that the unborn child does indeed have the right to life."

GOL said its campaign was about putting into practice what everyone present at the meeting agreed on. "Therefore this amendment would be the most congruent way to act given that the Constitutional right to life is not clearly extended to the unborn child as things stand."

The Labour Party in a statement issued later, said that Dr Muscat, while expressing himself against abortion, said he personally had reservations on the proposed amendment.

Dr Muscat quoted arguments raised by Prof Peter Serracino Inglott and Prof Kenneth Wain regarding democracy and said he identified himself with the reservations which they had expressed.

Nonetheless, he was prepared to listen to the debate on the issue.