Page:British and Foreign State Papers, vol. 155 (1958).djvu/680

664 (4) The Council of Ministers may annul or amend any legal measure or decision adopted by other executive and administrative organs of the State or by local authorities which infringe the Constitution or harm the interests of the working people.

26.—(1) The Chairman of the Council of Ministers presides over the Council’s meetings, is responsible for the carrying into effect of its decisions and instructions. and supervises the work of all organs under his direct authority.

(2) The Ministers supervise the branches of State administration under their authority and the organs under their contro! in accordance with the law and in conformity with the decisions of the Council of Ministers.

(3) The Chairman of the Council of Ministers and the Ministers in the exercise of their functions may issue decrees. These, however, may not conflict with the laws of the People’s Republic or decrees issued by the Presidium of the People’s Republic or by the Council of Ministers. The decrees must be published in the Official Gazette.

27.—(1) The Council of Ministers is responsible to the National Assembly and is obliged to report on its work regularly to the National Assembly.

(2) The Chairman of the Council of Ministers, or his deputy, and the members are individually responsible for their actions and attitude. A special law will provide for the method of calling them to account.

(3) Members of the National Assembly may put questions to the Council of Ministers, its Chairman or any of its members concerning any matter lying within their sphere of authority, and they are obliged to give an answer to the National Assembly.

28.—(1) The Council of Ministers may take action, either collectively or through any of its members, in any matters lying within the sphere of the State’s executive and administrative authority.

(2) The Council may take any branch of State administration under its direct control and may set up special organs for this purpose.