Napoleon, to E. Rouher, January 20, 1867

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Napoleon, by the grace of God and the national will Emperor of the French, to all whom these presents may come, greeting:

Wishing to give to the discussions in the great bodies of the states on the home and foreign policy of the government greater utility and precision, we do hereby decree:

Article 1. The members of the senate and of the legislative body may address interpellation to the government.

Art. 2. Any demand to exercise that right must be made in writing and signed by five members at least, and must contain a summary of the object of the question to be put; it must be delivered to the president, who will communicate it to the minister of state, and refer it to the bureaus for examination.

Art. 3. If two bureaus of the senate, or four of the legislative body, express the opinion that the question may be brought forward, the Chamber will fix a day for the discussion.

Art. 4. After the close of the debate the Chamber pronounces the order of the day, pure and simple, or refers the matter to the government.

ART. 5. The order of the day, pure and simple, has always the priority.

Art. 6. The reference to the government can only be pronounced on the following terms: “The senate (or the legislative body) calls the attention of the government to the object of the interpellation.” In that case an extract of the deliberations is transmitted to the minister of state.

Art. 7. Each of the ministers may by special authority of the Emperor be charged, in conjunction with the minister of state, the presidents and ministers of the council of state, to represent the government before the legislative body in the discussion of business, or of parliamentary bills.

Art. 8. Are abrogated articles 1 and 2 of our decree of the 24th of November, 1866, which declare that the senate and the legislative body shall vote every year at the opening of the session an address in reply to the speech from the throne.

Art. 9. Our minister of state is charged with the execution of the present decree.

Done at the palace of the Tuileries this 19th day of January, 1867.