In Defence of October

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Instructions on the Procedure for Tabling Questions in the C.P.C.

Written in December 16 (29), 1917.

Every commissar tabling a question in the Council of People’s Commissars shall be required to submit a written statement specifying:

a) what the question is (briefly) [this statement cannot he confined to a mere reference to the subject, but must set forth the gist of the matter].

b) what exactly the Council of People’s Commissars is being asked to do (give money; adopt such-and- such a resolution, etc. The person introducing the question must state clearly what he wants)

c) whether the question involves departments under other commissars. If so, exactly which; whether they have given their findings in writing?[1]

Lenin

Notes

[1] Lenin’s motion was discussed at a meeting of the C.P.C. on December 18 (31), 1917; and a ruling adopted: “To endorse Lenin’s instructions and Gorbunov’s proposal to close the agenda half an hour before the appointed meeting and to oblige the People’s Commissars to fulfil this under a written engagement” (Central Party Archives of the Institute of Marxism-Leninism of the C.C.of the C.P.S.U.).

 

Source: Marxist Internet Archive.

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