98

p The Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. The activities of this organ evoke great interest both in the Soviet Union and abroad. Every word pronounced from its rostrum is carefully studied and weighed, and every decision it passes elicits a broad response. The Soviet Parliament’s enormous prestige is understandable and fully justified.

p Being the supreme organ of state power in the country and embodying the sovereignty of the whole Soviet people, the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. represents the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, a land which is building communism. It is a genuinely popular organ of power and 99 personifies the plentilude of power and the democratic character of the Soviet system. The activity of a parliament is determined by its social composition, by the classes and sections of the population it represents and whose interests it upholds. The Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. consists of representatives of all sections of Soviet society. Its deputies were voted in not by part of the electorate but by the entire adult population of the country, by more than 140 million citizens, or 99.9 per cent of the constituents.

p The composition of the Supreme Soviet mirrors the social structure of Soviet society and the friendship and genuine equality of all Soviet nations and nationalities. In spite of their different callings, age, education and nationality, all deputies are united in their dedication to the cause of the working people, the cause of communism.

p After every election to the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. a special book containing short biographies of all its deputies is published. It offers convincing proof that above everything else Soviet legislators are working people. All deputies, whether factory workers, statesmen, or gifted artists are esteemed for their work and for their contribution to the common cause. A deputy is elected to the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. not as a result of pre-election intrigues or veiled machinations, but in recognition of his devoted and dedicated work for the common weal.

p Let us consider, as a typical example, the biography of Supreme Soviet deputy Zoya Pukhova, a weaver from Ivanovo.

p She was born in 1936 into the family of a collective farmer who was killed in the war. She cannot forget the day when her mother took out of the envelope a slip of paper notifying her of her husband’s death, dropped weakly on a bench and clenching her head with her hands began to wail in lamentation.. . .

The widow was left with four small children on her hands. It was not easy to bring them up and give them an education. So after completing a seven-year school Zoya Pukhova went to live in Ivanovo, one of the oldest centres of Russia’s textile industry. Here she learned the trade of weaver and very soon became an expert at the job, so much so that people justifiably say that she has golden hands.

100 Emacs-File-stamp: "/home/ysverdlov/leninist.biz/en/1968/SSD255/20070705/199.tx"

p Since 1952 she is working at the spinning and weaving mill named after the weaver-revolutionary Balashov. Zoya Pukhova, a modest woman and mother of two children, has won great prestige both at the mill with its 5,000 workers and in the city itself not only because of her high production indices or skill which amazes even specialists who are old hands at the job, but primarily because of the kindness and solicitude she displays towards the people. Having thoroughly mastered modern methods of production she shares her experience and professional “secrets” with other workers. She is also the initiator of socialist emulation among the weavers and thousands of workers are taking over her exceptionally conscientious and creative attitude to labour.

p She successfully combines work at the mill and studies with public activity. Fulfilling her duties as deputy of the Ivanovo Regional Soviet she interceded on behalf of dozens of people with public health and educational bodies and organs engaged in the organisation of public services and amenities.

p Many improvements have been carried out at the mill and in the city thanks to her persistent efforts and initiative.

p Furthering the interests of the state and displaying concern for the common cause she has frequently spoken at Party and trade union meetings and at various conferences and approached state bodies, including ministries, requesting the adoption of measures to raise the productivity of labour and improve the welfare of the people.

p As a member of the Committee of Soviet Women she has widely travelled abroad where she met prominent functionaries of the international women’s movement.

p In the spring of 1966 Zoya Pukhova was delegated to the 23rd Party Congress in Moscow where she spoke about measures to improve methods of production at textile mills, lighten the domestic work of women and create better cultural facilities for workers.

p That same year the people of Ivanovo unanimously elected her deputy to the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.

p The Seventh Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. elected her member of its Presidium, thus further broadening the range of her functions as deputy.

p She obtained a more profound understanding of mailers 101 connected with the development of the country by participating in Supreme Soviet sessions and Presidium meetings, and concentrated still more on fulfilling the wishes of her electors. At times she perceives the common measures that have to be taken on a country-wide scale merely by studying separate cases or facts at her mill.

p Now that she has become a prominent public figure, this ordinary Soviet woman is giving all of her talent and ability to serving the people and improving their lives.

p More than 50 per cent of the Supreme Soviet members are prominent workers of town and country who, like Zoya Pukhova, have risen to the heights of state activity.

p The Seventh Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. consists of 1,517 deputies, including 404 (26.6 per cent) workers and 294 (19.4 per cent) collective farmers. This is almost 50 per cent of the total. If we added to this number the statesmen, economic executives and specialists who began their working life as workers or peasants, these two categories would make up an overwhelming majority. The Supreme Soviet also includes 245 (16.2 per cent) intellectuals, among them scientists, technical specialists and workers in culture, art and literature. Among the deputies there are 376 (24.8 per cent) non-Party people.

p Of the deputies in the Supreme Soviet 425 (28 per cent) are women. This is more than the total number of women in the parliaments of all the bourgeois countries taken together. These figures testify to the representative character of the supreme organ of power in the U.S.S.R.

p Two chambers of the Supreme Soviet. In accordance with the Constitution, the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. consists of two chambers, the Soviet of the Union and the Soviet of Nationalities. This structure of the highest organ of state power in the best possible way reflects the multinational composition of the population.

p Both chambers are elected on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot for a period of four years, but on a different basis of representation. The Soviet of the Union is elected by citizens voting by constituencies on the basis of one deputy for every 300,000 of population. The Soviet of Nationalities is elected by citizens voting by Union and Autonomous Republics. Autonomous Regions and National Areas on the basis of
•
102 ELECTIONS TO THE SUPREME SOVIET OF THE U.S.S.R. SUPREME SOVIET OF THE U.S.S.R. SOVIET OF THE UNION SOVIET OF NATIONALITIES One deputy Thirty -two Eleven Five deputies One deputy for every deputies from deputies from from each from each 300 000 oMrw each Union each Autonomous Autonomous National population Republic Republic Region Area 103
•
32 deputies from each Union Republic, 11 from each Autonomous Republic, five from each Autonomous Region and one deputy from each National Area.

p This system ensures adequate representation of all the nationalities of the U.S.S.R. and mirrors their national features and specific interests. The bicameral structure of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. provides ample possibilities for carefully heeding the needs and interests of the people, rendering them timely assistance and maintaining mutual trust and fraternal co-operation between all socialist nations. People of 57 nationalities of the U.S.S.R. work hand in hand in the highest representative organ of the country.

p Both chambers enjoy equal rights and both can initiate legislation. A law is considered adopted only if passed by both chambers. Their structure is, on the whole, identical. Sessions of the two chambers begin and terminate simultaneously and they conduct their business and proceedings in an identical manner. According to agreement between the two chambers, they may conduct their sittings jointly or separately. Joint sittings are presided over alternately by the chairmen of the two chambers. The equality of the two chambers is also manifested in the fact that they have almost the same number of deputies.

p Article 47 of the Constitution of the U.S.S.R. states that in the event of disagreement between the Soviet of the Union and the Soviet of Nationalities, the question is referred for settlement to a conciliation committee formed by the chambers on a parity basis. If the conciliation committee fails to arrive at an agreement or if its decision fails to satisfy one of the chambers, the question is considered for a second time by the chambers. Failing agreement between the two chambers, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. dissolves the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. and orders new elections. Thus, neither chamber has any advantages over the other. The decisions of both have equal strength, and the constitutionally established procedure for settling differences not only testifies to their equality but also guarantees it.

p The bicameral structure of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. ensures the consistent implementation of the nationalities policy of the Communist Party. It can be safely 104 said that thanks lo its national composition the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. is a forum of plenipotentiaries of all Soviet nations and nationalities called upon to settle the most important affairs as members of a single federal state. Jurisdiction of the Supreme Soviet. As the highest representative organ, the Supreme Soviet is vested with broad powers covering all major issues of home and foreign policy. It adopts and amends the Constitution of the U.S.S.R. and passes all-Union laws.

p Article 32 of the Constitution slates that the legislative power of the U.S.S.R. is exercised exclusively by the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R.

p A law is an act of enormous social significance. It regulates social relations and problems connected with people’s destinies. Soviet laws are the embodiment of the will of all the people. They are imbued with solicitude for the population and protect the Soviet social system and the interests and rights of Soviet citizens. It is quite natural therefore that in the U.S.S.R. laws are passed by the higher representative organ and that legislative functions cannot be transferred to executive organs.

p Laws of the U.S.S.R. are obligatory for all Soviet republics. In addition to promulgating laws, the jurisdiction of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. covers admission of new republics into the Soviet Union, approval of the boundaries between Union Republics, establishment of the general procedure governing relations between Union Republics and foreign states, definition of the principles guiding the organisation of military formations of the Union Republics, and so forth.

p When necessary the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. reorganises individual state organs or changes their structure and composition. In March 1946, for example, at its first session the Second Supreme Soviet changed the numerical composition of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R., transformed the Council of People’s Commissars into the Council of Ministers, and the people’s commissariats into ministries, and renamed the Procurator of the U.S.S.R. into Procurator-General of the U.S.S.R.

p In 1958, the Supreme Soviet amended the Constitution by introducing a clause stipulating that by virtue of their office the Presidents of the Presidiums of the Supreme 105 Soviets of the Union Republics were automatically VicePresidents of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. Simultaneously a new constitutional norm was established covering the inclusion in the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R. of the Chairmen of the Councils of Ministers of the Union Republics.

p Taking the changes in economic and cultural development into consideration, the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. approves the appropriate reorganisation of the ministries of the U.S.S.R., namely, merging, division, or formation of new ministries, or the transformation of all-Union ministries into Union-republican ministries. The Supreme Soviet sets up state committees of the Council of Ministers of the U.S.S.R. such as the State Building Committee, the State Forestry Committee, and others.

p Exercising state administration over political, economic and cultural life, the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. approves annual and long-term (five-year) economic plans and the State Budget and reports on their implementation. The budget and the economic development plans are very important acts which define the principal trends of the country’s economic and cultural development.

p The impressive five-year plan for 1966-70 envisages the further all-round economic growth of the country, and sets rapid rates of development for the heavy, light and food industries and agriculture. The plan provides for huge outlays for public education, sports, the training of personnel, scientific and cultural progress, public health, and state social insurance and social security.

p In conformity with the Constitution, the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. forms other higher organs of state power. It elects the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R., forms the Council of Ministers—the Government of the U.S.S.R.—elects the Supreme Court of the U.S.S.R. and appoints the Procurator-General of the U.S.S.R.

p At the same time, it exercises supreme control over the activity of all state organs and officials. It safeguards the rights and freedoms of citizens and strengthens socialist law and order.

p It lays down the principles guiding Soviet foreign policy and passes decisions on key international problems. Its acts are an expression of the peace-loving foreign policy of the 106 Soviet Union aimed at securing lasting peace in llie world. In recent years its foreign policy activity has expanded considerably. Supreme Soviet sessions regularly hear the government’s reports on the international situation and the foreign policy of the U.S.S.R. and adopt decisions and declarations on foreign policy problems.

p In conformity with the will of the peoples of the U.S.S.R.. the Supreme Soviet backed the Soviet Government’s proposals on such major international issues as general and complete disarmament, the banning of rocket and nuclear weapons, the conclusion of a peace treaty with Germany and, on that basis, settling the problem of West Berlin, and the like.

p The Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. consistently pursues its policy of promoting business relations with all countries and assisting the peoples fighting for liberation or struggling to uphold their independence against imperialist encroachments.

p On February 9, 1959, it adopted a declaration on the possibility and desirability of establishing direct contacts with the parliaments of foreign countries by exchanging parliamentary delegations with them and by giving visiting parliamentarians the opportunity to address the parliaments of the host countries, and securing the growth of friendly relations and co-operation between the parliaments, governments and peoples of various countries irrespective of their social and economic system.

p To promote inter-parliamentary contacts, the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. has set up a National Parliamentary Group, which has been a member of the Inter- Parliamentary Union since 1955. About 40 parliamentary delegations have visited the Soviet Union in the past four years. About half of this number were delegations from the young independent states. In this period Supreme Soviet deputies have visited over 20 countries.

p The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet. Sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. are convened twice a year.

p In the interim between sessions it acts through its Presidium, the standing committees of its chambers and its deputies in the constituencies where they had been elected.

p The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. is a collegiate higher organ of power formed exclusively of 107 deputies. It fulfills functions connected with the activities of the Supreme Soviet and its jurisdiction is defined in the Constitution. It consists of the President of the Presidium, 15 Vice-Presidents representing all the Union Republics, a Secretary and 20 members. Alongside prominent Party leaders and statesmen it includes workers, collective farmers, intellectuals and servicemen. Besides Leonid Brezhnev, General Secretary of the C.C. C.P.S.U., and other prominent statesmen and Party workers of the U.S.S.R. and the Union Republics, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet elected in August 1966 at the first session of the Seventh Supreme Soviet includes Z. P. Pukhova, a weaver from Ivanovo, V. I. Bolshukhin, foreman at the Sredneuralsk Copper Works, M. Jalalov, leader of a tractor and field team at the 20th Party Congress Collective Farm in Uzbekistan, two collective-farm chairmen V. M. Kavun (Vinnitsa Region, the Ukraine) and A. I. Kasatkina (Gorky Region, Russian Federation), rector of Moscow University Academician I. G. Petrovsky, and A. D. Nutetegrineh, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Chukotka Area Soviet (Magadan Region, Russian Federation).

p As part of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R., the Presidium organises and holds elections to the Supreme Soviet, prepares and convenes its sessions, promulgates laws, and organises the work of the chambers, and the standing and temporary committees, and also of the deputies.

p In the interim between sessions the Presidium’s powers extend over certain matters lying within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Soviet. For example, it amends existing legislation, releases and appoints members of the government and of the Supreme Court of the U.S.S.R., approves changes in the boundaries between Union Republics, proclaims a state of war in the event of military attack on the U.S.S.R., or in fulfilment of international treaty obligations concerning mutual defence against aggression, and so forth. All decisions taken by the Presidium are subject to approval by the Supreme Soviet.

p Finally, under the Constitution, the Presidium fulfils functions placed within its own jurisdiction. It issues decrees, interprets operating laws, institutes decorations (Orders and medals) and titles of honour and awards them, exercises the right of pardon, institutes military titles,
•
108 THE SUPREME SOVIET OF THE U.S.S.R. SUPREME SOVIET Planning and Budgetary 1 ___ Committee | OF THE U.S.S.R. H Planning and Budgetary Committee Transport and ’ 1 —- Communications 1 SOVIET SOVIET OF Transport and Communications ICommiltee torConilructi-l on and the Building L H Committee for Construe - lion and the Building 1 Materials Industry 1 Materials Induilrv Committee 1 Vice-Chairmen Viee-Chairmen H Committee for Agriculture [ " Erommitlee lor Public 1 ___ alth and Social Security] 14) 0 OJ ___ I Committee lor Public  ^^1^^ (Health and Social Security — PRESIDIUM — Committee 1 lor Public Education, —- Science and Culture 1 E OF THE SUPREME SOVIET E E H Committee for Public Education Science and Culture E OF THE U.S.S.R. 0 Committee tor Trade 1 ___ and Public Amenities | o u President ol the Presidium, U H Committee lor Trade and Public Amenities en c Legislative Proposals | c 1 ——- ^^2^^°"""“be” ollhe Presidium ——- 1 -D 1 Legislative Proposals C Committee 1 ___ , (or Foreign Affairs I as in H Committee for Foreign Affairs u> Credentials Commitlee —- —- Credentials Commitlee Ad Hoc Committee Conciliation Committee 1 __ (formed on a parity basil) f | u 0) -a t’ -4 Inquiry Commitlee Other ad hoc Committee4 Auditing Committee 109
•
diplomatic ranks and other special titles, appoints and removes the supreme command of the Armed Forces of the U.S.S.R.. orders general or partial mobilisation, and so forth.

p It is accountable to the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. for all its activities. One of the forms in which it fulfils this obligation is reports submitted by the Presidium’s Secretary to the Supreme Soviet concerning the decrees passed by the Presidium and subject to approval by the Supreme Soviet. Approval of these decrees signifies approval of the Presidium’s activities. The Supreme Soviet has the right to re-elect members of the Presidium or the entire Presidium.

p Inasmuch as the Presidium is a collegiate organ, all major questions within its jurisdiction are subject to discussion and a vote.

p In describing the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet menlion must be made of the role played by the standing committees of the two chambers of the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. In accordance with the decision passed in August 1966 by the first session of the Seventh Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R., each chamber has 10 standing committees, including credentials, planning and budgetary, legislation proposals, foreign affairs, as well as committees on various branches of economic and cultural development. About 50 per cent of the deputies of the Supreme Soviet are members of these committees and they include prominent specialists, scientists, musicians and artists, rank-and-filc workers and collective farmers, doctors and teachers, men and women of different nationalities, ages, education, and representing all the Union and Autonomous Republics.

p When necessary, deputies who are members of standing committees are exempted from their day-to-day work for a definite period in order to enable them to carry out the assignments given them by their committees.

p The committees scrupulously study all draft laws submitted to them and, as a rule, any amendments and considerations suggested by these committees are approved by the Supreme Soviet.

p By previewing the drafts of important laws and presenting their conclusions, the committees help the Supreme Soviet thoroughly to examine the substance of these acts, correctly 110 assess them, and adopt decisions conforming most closely to the interests of the state and the people.

p The standing committees have the power to initiate bills. Acting on their own accord they draw up and submit to the Supreme Soviet many bills. The committees for legislative proposals, for instance, prepared and referred to the Supreme Soviet draft Fundamentals of Criminal Legislation and Procedure and draft Fundamentals of Civil Law and Procedure in the U.S.S.R. and the Union Republics, and several other important state acts.

p These bills are not drawn up in camera, a typical method of procedure for parliamentary committees in bourgeois countries. Members of the Supreme Soviet committees consult with the people and take their views into account. They frequently travel to the different republics for onthe-spot consultations with members of local government bodies, lawyers, economic executives, cultural workers, scientists, industrial workers and collective farmers. At onthe-spot conferences they hear the views of many hundreds and even thousands of people. It goes without saying that in this way they collect a wealth of important material for drafting new laws to stimulate social development.

p Another important function of the standing committees is that they control the activity of the administrative bodies, i.e., ministries and departments, not only in connection with the approval of economic development plans, the State Budget and other acts. They regularly inspect the work of administrative bodies and make sure that they implement the laws passed by the Supreme Soviet of the U.S.S.R. They have no administrative powers and cannot compel any organ to carry out one or another measure. But their practice of drawing up recommendations for administrative organs has fully justified itself in both theory and practice.

p By virtue of the prestige enjoyed by them their recommendations are speedily implemented by the government, the ministries and other administrative organs to whom they are addressed.

The growing role of the standing committees and the large-scale participation of deputies and of representatives of mass organisations, scientists and specialists in these committees improves the work of the Supreme Soviet and 111 of its chambers and the Presidium, opens up new fields in which deputies can apply their experience with due consideration for the views of the electors they represent.