The Opposition Conservatives are willing to allow the passage of the NDP's $4.6-billion budget amendment, but only if the Liberals agree to delay same-sex marriage legislation.

On Wednesday, Conservative House Leader Jay Hill said the trade-off has been subject of discussions between his party and the minority government.

"There's been some negotiations," Hill said. "If we were to get a delay of C-38 (the marriage bill) until the fall and perhaps some other concession, we'd be happy."

In exchange, Hill indicated the Conservatives would be willing to quiet their opposition to the budget amendment.

That would be a dramatic about-turn from the 90 speakers the Opposition is reportedly prepared to have filibuster in an effort to stall the budget vote.

"(One) primary concern of ours is that we get out of the spring session with C-38 not progressing further," Hill said.

"If we can get that, it'll be worth our while to see (the budget bill) C-48 go. Because eventually they're going to get C-48 anyway."

Reacting to word of the opposition offer, Prime Minister Paul Martin's spokesperson Scott Reid said no deal had been struck.

"The government committed to make every effort without summarily cutting off debate and others' views to get C-38 passed this session," Reid said.

But, Reid added, actually getting the same-sex marriage legislation passed before Parliament rises may be out of the government's hands.

"That remains our hope, but the fact of the matter is that if the Conservatives are determined to obstruct and filibuster, it may be difficult."

Martin had suggested the divisive marriage legislation would be put to a vote before lawmakers left Ottawa for the summer.

The Liberals made a deal to add $4.6 billion in extra spending to the federal fiscal plan, in return for a guarantee of the NDP's support when it came to a vote.