[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 117 (Monday, June 17, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 30591-30592] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-15242] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Submission For OMB Review; Comment Request DOC has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). Agency: Bureau of the Census. Title: Monthly Wholesale Trade Survey. Form Number(s): B-310. Agency Approval Number: 0607-0190. Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection. Burden: 4,614 hours. Number of Respondents:3,298. Avg Hours Per Response: 7 minutes. Needs and Uses: The Bureau of the Census conducts the Monthly Wholesale Trade Survey to obtain sales and inventory data from a sample of merchant wholesalers. From the data we gather, we produce statistics on wholesale sales, end-of-month inventories, methods of inventory valuation, and stock/sales ratios. The Bureau of Economic Analysis uses these statistics in its calculations of the gross domestic product (GDP) and to improve the reliability of inventory adjustments applied in the quarterly GDP estimates. The Bureau of Labor Statistics uses these statistics as input to its Producer Price Indexes and in developing productivity measurements. Other government agencies and businesses use these statistics for planning and development and to gauge the current trends of the economy. Current data on wholesale trade also enable us to make comparisons with the five-year wholesale census data. The current sampling methodology for this survey uses both fixed and rotating panels. Larger companies report monthly in the fixed panel. Most small and medium sized companies report every three months and are asked to report data for the two most recent months. The current design is susceptible to large revisions in preliminary-to- final estimates due to imbalances in the rotating panels and differential response bias between current and previous month data. We will implement a totally fixed panel design for the next sample revision starting in early 1997 in order to minimize these revisions. The sample redesign will also permit more accurate identification of unusual responses and will facilitate reconciling differences with other Census Bureau surveys. We plan to gauge and monitor the effects of the sample redesign on an ongoing basis. Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit institutions, Federal Government, State, local or tribal government. Frequency: Monthly. Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary. OMB Desk Officer: Jerry Coffey, (202) 395-7314. Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Dan Haigler, Acting DOC Forms Clearance Officer, (202) 482-3272, Department of Commerce, room 5312, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to Jerry Coffey, OMB Desk Officer, room 10201, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503. [[Page 30592]] Dated: June 6, 1996. Dan Haigler, Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and Organization. [FR Doc. 96-15242 Filed 6-14-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-07-F