(1)In the instrument under section 4 appointing the chairman, or by a notice given to him within a reasonable time afterwards, the Minister must—
(a)specify the date that is to be the setting-up date for the purposes of this Act; and
(b)before that date—
(i)set out the terms of reference of the inquiry;
(ii)state whether or not the Minister proposes to appoint other members to the inquiry panel, and if so how many.
(2)An inquiry must not begin considering evidence before the setting-up date.
(3)The Minister may at any time after setting out the terms of reference under this section amend them if he considers that the public interest so requires.
(4)Before setting out or amending the terms of reference the Minister must consult the person he proposes to appoint, or has appointed, as chairman.
(5)Functions conferred by this Act on an inquiry panel, or a member of an inquiry panel, are exercisable only within the inquiry's terms of reference.
(6)In this Act “terms of reference”, in relation to an inquiry under this Act, means—
(a)the matters to which the inquiry relates;
(b)any particular matters as to which the inquiry panel is to determine the facts;
(c)whether the inquiry panel is to make recommendations;
(d)any other matters relating to the scope of the inquiry that the Minister may specify.