RESOLUTION ON THE DRAFT REGULATIONS CONCERNING THE COUNCIL
OF LABOR AND DEFENSE
December 11, 1920
To the All‑Russian Central Executive
Committee
Approved by the Council of People’s Commissars on December 1,
1920*.
Chairman of the SNK
V. Ulyanov (Lenin)
DRAFT “
At a time when the struggle of the Soviet Republic against global imperialism was intensifying, the All‑Russian Central Executive Committee established

November

of the year
the Council
of Labor and
Peasantry
Defense.
In fulfilling the tasks assigned to it, the Defense Council coordinated the work of military and other agencies in mobilizing the country’s forces and resources for the sake of defense.
By April 1920, the military situation had enabled the Soviet Republic to embark on economic reconstruction, and the Defense Council was tasked with closely integrating labor efforts on the home front—accordingly, the Council
*
The Sovnarkom resolution stated: “Approve the draft, adding the People’s Commissar of Labor to the membership of the Defense Council. Forward it to the Presidium of the All‑Russian Central Executive Committee for submission to the Congress of Soviets” (Protocol No. 404, item 1 ^).
The draft regulations concerning the Council of Labor and Defense, submitted on behalf of the All‑Russian Central Executive Committee and the Council of People’s Commissars for consideration at the Eighth Congress of Soviets, were approved by the Congress on December 29, 1920 (“Collection of Laws and Decrees of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Government,” No. 1, January 3, 1921).
* * The draft regulations concerning the Council of Labor and Defense are printed according to the original
r*i 11lu, as revised by V. I. Lenin.

The Defense Council was transformed into the Council of Labor and Defense. At present, the tasks of economic reconstruction confront the Soviet Republic in their full scope; at the same time, there arises a pressing need to more precisely formalize and consolidate the organizational experience gained by the Council of Labor and Defense, as well as to clarify and define the Council’s relations with the central organs of Soviet power. Accordingly,
the All‑Russian Central Executive Committee resolves, in amendment and supplement to the resolution of November 30, 1918 (Collection of Laws, No. 91), to approve the following regulations concerning the Council of Labor and Defense.
1. The Council of Labor and Defense operates as a commission under the Council of People’s Commissars.
2. The Council of Labor and Defense comprises: in the capacity of its chairman—the Chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars; and in the capacity of its members, the People’s Commissars for Military Affairs, the Supreme Council of National Economy, the People’s Commissariat of Labor, the Ministry of Communications, Agriculture, Food Supply, and the Workers’ and Peasants’ Inspection, together with one representative from the All‑Russian Central Council of Trade Unions. The Director of the Central Statistical Administration participates with a consultative vote.
Note: Deputy chairpersons are appointed by the Council of People’s Commissars.
3. The Council of Labor and Defense exercises jurisdiction over those matters of the RSFSR that pertain to the defense of the Republic and to the coordination of the work of the economic People’s Commissariats.
4. In carrying out the tasks entrusted to it, the Council of Labor and Defense issues resolutions, directives, and instructions, and takes all measures necessary for their proper and timely implementation—in particular, it establishes a unified economic plan for the RSFSR, submits this plan for approval by the All‑Russian Central Executive Committee, coordinates the work of the economic People’s Commissariats in accordance with that plan, oversees its implementation, and, where necessary, makes adjustments or exceptions to the plan.
5. All departments and institutions, both central and local, as well as all citizens, are bound without exception by the resolutions of the Council of Labor and Defense.
6. The All‑Russian Central Executive Committee of the Soviets and the Council of People’s Commissars have the authority to revoke or suspend any resolution or decision of the Council of Labor and Defense—either upon the protest of individual People’s Commissars or at their own discretion.