96-18046. Proposed Collection; Comment Request  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 16, 1996)]
    [Notices]
    [Page 37091]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-18046]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
    Bureau of Labor Statistics
    
    
    Proposed Collection; Comment Request
    
    ACTION: Notice.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
    reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
    consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
    with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
    collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
    Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to 
    ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
    reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
    collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
    collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. 
    Currently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments 
    concerning the proposed revision of the ``Point of Purchase Survey.'' A 
    copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be 
    obtained by contacting the individual listed below in the addressee 
    section of this notice.
    
    DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
    addressee section below on or before September 16, 1996.
        BLS is particularly interested in comments which help the agency 
    to:
         Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
    necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
    including whether the information will have practical utility;
         Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
    burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
    validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
         Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
    information to be collected; and
         Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
    those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
    automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
    techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
    electronic submissions of responses.
    
    ADDRESSEE: Send comments to Karin G. Kurz, BLS Clearance Officer, 
    Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 3255, 
    2 Massachusetts Avenue N.E., Washington, D.C. 20212. Ms. Kurz can be 
    reached on 202-606-7628 (this is not a toll free number).
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    I. Background
    
        The purpose of this survey is to develop and maintain a timely list 
    of retail, wholesale, and service establishments where urban consumers 
    shop for specified items. This information is used as the sampling 
    universe for selecting establishments at which prices of specific items 
    are collected and monitored for use in calculating the Consumer Price 
    Index (CPI). The survey has been ongoing since 1980 and also provides 
    expenditure data which allows items that are priced in the CPI to be 
    properly weighted.
    
    II. Current Actions
    
        Starting in 1997, the survey will be administered quarterly and 
    entirely via a computer-assisted-telephone-interview, as opposed to the 
    current practice of an annual personal-visit interview. This revised 
    collection methodology is more flexible and creates the possibility of 
    introducing new products into the Consumer Price Index in a more timely 
    manner. Furthermore, the cost efficiency of telephone interviewing 
    permits data collection in all sampling areas each year, rather than 
    the current practice of collecting data in only 20 percent of all 
    sampling areas each year. This new sample design will produce an 
    overall CPI market basket that is more reflective of the prices faced 
    and the establishments visited by urban consumers.
        Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
        Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
        Title: Point of Purchase Survey.
        OMB Number: 1220-0044.
        Affected Public: Individuals or households.
        Total Respondents: 18,018.
        Frequency: Quarterly.
        Total Responses: 32,760.
        Average Time Per Response: 12 Minutes.
        Estimated Total Burden Hours: 6,552 Hours.
        Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
        Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $0.
        Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
    and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
    approval of the information collection request; they also will become a 
    matter of public record.
    
        Signed at Washington, D.C., this 10th day of July, 1996.
    Peter T. Spolarich,
    Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    [FR Doc. 96-18046 Filed 7-15-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4510-24-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
07/16/1996
Department:
Labor Statistics Bureau
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice.
Document Number:
96-18046
Dates:
Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
Pages:
37091-37091 (1 pages)
PDF File:
96-18046.pdf