The second meeting in a week of the Nationalist Party's parliamentary group was described as "very positive" by Whip David Agius soon after the meeting adjourned yesterday evening.

Stopping short of divulging what was discussed, Mr Agius said one of the main items on the agenda was the Labour Party's motion calling for the withdrawal of the legal notice that introduced the new higher utility tariffs. The motion is expected to be discussed in Parliament on Monday, a day after 11 unions hold a demonstration in Valletta against the tariffs. Unions are calling for MPs to be given a free vote.

After failing to meet for two whole months, the PN parliamentary group met twice this week, with the first meeting on Tuesday described by sources as a conciliatory meeting during which the Prime Minister tried to embrace disgruntled MPs.

Mr Agius said another meeting would be scheduled soon to discuss primary healthcare reform. Floriana MP Jean Pierre Farrugia has come out against the proposed reform while former parliamentary secretary Frans Agius, former health minister Louis Deguara and Sliema MP Robert Arrigo have expressed reservations about aspects of the reform.

Yesterday's meeting discussed Parliament's agenda for the coming week and other issues. Mr Agius did not say what the other issues were.

New backbencher Peter Micallef, who was elected in a casual election to fill the seat vacated by former Social Policy Minister John Dalli, was welcomed in the parliamentary group this week. He will be taking his oath of office on Monday.

The Sunday Times had revealed that Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi held one-to-one meetings with Nationalist MPs prior to the parliamentary group meetings.

The parliamentary group was last convened on December 15 when John Dalli's EU Commission nomination was approved by Cabinet and later communicated to other MPs.