[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 3, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14737-14738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-7781]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census


Current Industrial Reports Surveys--WAVE III (Voluntary and 
Mandatory Submissions)

ACTION: Proposed agency information collection activity; 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 3, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Acting 
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(s) and instructions 
should be directed to:
    Food, Textiles & Apparel and Wood and Chemical Products--Michael

[[Page 14738]]
Zampogna, (301) 457-4810, Bureau of Census, Manufacturing & 
Construction Division, Room 2212, Building 4, Washington, DC 20233.
    Electrical & Transportation and Metals and Industrial Machinery--
Kenneth Hansen, (301) 457-4755, Bureau of Census, Manufacturing & 
Construction Division, Room 2207, Building 4, Washington, DC 20233.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau conducts a series of monthly, quarterly, and 
annual surveys as part of the Current Industrial Reports (CIR) program. 
The CIR program includes both mandatory and voluntary surveys. 
Typically the monthly and quarterly surveys are conducted on a 
voluntary basis. Those companies that choose not to respond to the 
voluntary surveys are required to submit a mandatory annual 
counterpart. The annual counterpart collects annual data from those 
firms not participating in the more frequent collection. These surveys 
provide continuing and timely national statistical data on 
manufacturing. The results of these surveys are used extensively by 
individual firms, trade associations, and market analysts in planning 
or recommending marketing and legislative strategies. The CIR's deal 
mainly with the quantity and value of shipments of particular products 
and occasionally with data on production and inventories; unfilled 
orders, receipts, stocks and consumption; and comparative data on 
domestic production, exports, and imports of the products they cover.
    Due to the large number of surveys in the CIR program, for 
clearance purposes we group the surveys into three Waves. The mandatory 
and voluntary surveys in each Wave are separately submitted. Thus, a 
total of six clearances cover all of the surveys in the CIR program. 
One Wave is submitted for reclearance each year. This year the Census 
Bureau plans to submit mandatory and voluntary surveys of Wave III for 
clearance. The surveys in Wave III are as follows:

Mandatory Surveys

MA23D--Gloves and Mittens
MA32E--Consumer, Scientific, Technical, and Industrial Glassware
MA35A--Farm Machinery and Lawn and Garden Equipment
MA35D--Construction Machinery
MA35F--Mining Machinery MA35J--Selected Pollution Control Equipment 
MA35M--Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment
MQ22T--Broadwoven Fabrics (Gray)

Voluntary Surveys

M33D--Aluminum Ingot and Mill Products MA20D--Confectionery MA35U--
Vending Machines

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will use mail out/mail back survey forms to 
collect data. We ask respondents to return monthly report forms within 
10 days, quarterly report forms within 15 days, and annual report forms 
within 30 days of the initial mailing. Telephone calls and/or letters 
encouraging participation will be mailed to respondents that have not 
responded by the designated time.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0476--Mandatory Surveys; 0607-0776--Voluntary 
Surveys.
    Form Number: M33D, MQ22T, MA20D, MA23D, MA32E, MA35A, MA35D, MA35F, 
MA35J, MA35M and MA35U.
    Type of Review: Regular Review.
    Affected Public: Businesses and other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Mandatory Surveys--3,207; 
Voluntary Surveys--904.
    Estimated Time Per Response: Mandatory Surveys--1.33 hrs; Voluntary 
Surveys--2.96 hrs.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: Mandatory Surveys--4,253; 
Voluntary Surveys--2,679.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The estimated cost of the CIR program 
for fiscal year 1996 is $4.2 million.

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, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-7781 Filed 4-2-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P