[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