The House of Commons was consumed today by demands for a full public inquiry into the relationship between Brian Mulroney and German-Canadian businessman Karlheinz Schreiber.

All three opposition party leaders followed the lead of the former prime minister in urging Stephen Harper to call an inquiry, immediately.

To each of them, Harper said, yes, there would be a public inquiry. But the terms of reference would be decided by the ''independent, third party'' the prime minister said he intends to soon appoint.

This led to great confusion in the opposition benches.

Is the prime minister promising the full public inquiry requested by Brian Mulroney?

Over and over again, the prime minister said there would be a ''full public inquiry.'' But under terms of reference to be recommended by the, as yet, unnamed special advisor.

More sputtering over what precisely the prime minister meant.

At the end of Question Period, the prime minister's office put out a release to clarify just what Harper is promising.

It says the independent third party will advise the government on ''appropriate terms of reference'' for a public inquiry.

The news release went on.

'If in reviewing material, the independent party finds any prima facie evidence of criminal action he or she will identify this and advise how this should be handled and what impact, if any, it should have on the nature and timing of the inquiry.

A public inquiry is a major step and one that should only be taken when it addresses Canadians’ interest, not those of the various parties, whether Mr. Schreiber, Mr. Mulroney or political parties.''

Is that an iron clad commitment?

You decide.