Evidently tired of waiting for Stephen Harper to kick-start his long-promised public inquiry into the Mulroney-Schreiber affair, the House ethics committee may take matters into its own hands this week.

It is expected to debate and vote on an opposition motion Thursday that would soon order Mulroney back before MPs for more testimony — regardless of the seemingly stalled inquiry process.

The NDP's Pat Martin today advised the committee of his motion to allow MPs to press the former prime minister for further details on his controversial relationship with German-Canadian businessman Karlheinz Schreiber, details that flowed from the earlier committee report.

Critics have suggested Harper wants to delay a full public inquiry until after the next election, which could come as early as the fall. Harper's office has long maintained that the delay in calling the inquiry is only because it is simply trying to find the right person to lead it.