[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