97-18866. Survey of Ocean Freight Revenues and Expenses of United States CarriersBE-30; Survey of U.S. Airline Operators' Foreign Revenues and ExpensesBE-37

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 137 (Thursday, July 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38254-38255]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18866]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of Economic Analysis


Survey of Ocean Freight Revenues and Expenses of United States 
Carriers--BE-30; Survey of U.S. Airline Operators' Foreign Revenues and 
Expenses--BE-37

ACTION: Extension of collection; comments requested.

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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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 15, 
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. Phone 
number: [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to: Michael Mann, Chief, Current Account Services Branch, 
Room 8018, Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
Washington, DC 20230; phone: [phone]; and fax: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Bureau of Economic Analysis is responsible for the computation 
and publication of the U.S. balance of payments accounts. The 
information collected in these surveys are an integral part of the 
``transportation'' portion of the U.S. balance of payments accounts. 
The balance of payments accounts, which are published quarterly in the 
Bureau's monthly publication, the Survey of Current Business, are one 
of the major statistical products of BEA. The accounts provide a 
statistical summary of U.S. international transactions. They are used 
by government and private organizations for national and international 
policy formulation, and analytical studies. Without the information 
collected in these surveys, an integral component of the transportation 
account would be omitted. No other Government agency collects 
comprehensive quarterly data on U.S. ocean carriers' freight revenues 
and expenses or U.S. airline operators' foreign revenues and expenses.
    These surveys request information from U.S. ocean and air carriers 
engaged in the international transportation of goods and/or passengers. 
Information is collected on a quarterly basis from U.S. ocean and air 
carriers with total annual covered revenues and total annual covered 
expenses, each over $500,000. U.S. ocean and air carriers with total 
annual covered revenues and expenses below $500,000 are exempt from 
reporting.

II. Method of Collection

    Mandatory reports are received from U.S. ocean and air carriers who 
provide data regarding their revenues and expenses resulting from 
international transportation. Submission of the

[[Page 38255]]

completed report form, or computer printouts in the format of the 
report form, are the most expedient and economical methods of reporting 
the information.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0608-001.
    Form Number: BE-30/BE-37.
    Type of Review: Extension-regular submission.
    Affected Public: U.S. ocean and air carriers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: (BE-30)40 / (BE-37)20.
    Estimated Time Per Response: (BE-30)5 hours /(BE-37)4 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: (BE-30)800 / (BE-37)320.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: For the survey of U.S. ocean carriers, 
the estimated annual cost to the Federal Government is $22,000 and to 
the public $24,000. For the survey of U.S. airline operators, the 
estimated annual cost to the Federal Government is $18,000 and to the 
public $9,600. The estimated annual cost to the public is based on an 
estimated total annual burden hours and an estimated hourly cost of 
$30.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.

    Legal Authority: The International Investment and Trade in 
Services Act, 22 U.S.C. 3101-3108.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the continued 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 burden (including 
hours and cost) of the continued 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: July 14, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-18866 Filed 7-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-EA-P