[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15457-15458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8121]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census
Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) Survey
ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 2, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should
be directed to Stephen Andrews, Bureau of the Census, FOB #4 Room 2102,
Washington, DC 20233-6913, (301) 457-4602.
[[Page 15458]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) Survey
requests data from domestic manufacturers on form M-3(SD) which will be
mailed at the end of each month. Data requested are shipments, new
orders, unfilled orders, total inventory, materials and supplies, work-
in-process and finished goods. It is currently the only survey which
provides broad-based monthly statistical data on the economic
conditions in the domestic manufacturing sector. It is designed to
measure current industrial activity and to provide an indication of
future production commitments. The value of shipments measures the
value of goods delivered during the month by domestic manufacturers.
Estimates of new orders serve as an indicator of future production
commitments and represent the current sales value of new orders
received during the month, net of cancellations. Substantial
accumulation or depletion of backlog of unfilled orders measures excess
(or deficient) demand for manufactured products. The level of
inventories, especially in relation to shipments, is frequently used to
monitor the business cycle.
The total annual burden hours are decreased from 24,000 to 20,400
due to two reasons: (1) companies discontinuing reporting on the survey
mainly because the survey is not mandatory; and (2) the poor response
to our survey expansion efforts.
II. Method of Collection
Respondents submit data on form M3-SD via mail or facsimile
machine. Respondents also transmit data using the Touchtone Data Entry
(TDE) system or by telephone call from our Computer Assisted Telephone
Interview (CATI) system.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0607-0008.
Form Number: M-3(SD).
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses or other for profit.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,150.
Estimated Time Per Response: .33 hour.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 20,400.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $263,775.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: Title 13 USC, Sections 131 and 182.
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.
Dated: March 26, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and
Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-8121 Filed 3-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
