[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 212 (Thursday, October 31, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 56237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-27940]



[[Page 56237]]

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FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION


Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Commission Divestiture 
Orders Information Collection Requirement

AGENCY: Federal Trade Commission.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The FTC invites comments on the proposed information 
collection requests as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) provide interested Federal agencies and the public an 
early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. The 
FTC publishes this notice containing proposed information collection 
requests prior to submission of this request to OMB.
    The FTC is soliciting public comments on the proposed collection of 
information. The FTC is especially interested in comments from members 
of the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection 
of information to: (1) 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, (2) 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, (3) Enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and 
(4) 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 
submission of responses.
    Title: Study of the Effectiveness of the Commission's divestiture 
orders.
    Type of review: New.
    Frequency: Once.
    Affected public: Businesses.
    Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Burden:
    Responses: Approximately 410.
    Burden Hours: Approximately 1,000.
    Abstract: This study is designed to assist the Commission in 
evaluating the effectiveness of its merger enforcement actions. 
Specifically, the study will inform the Commission about whether to 
modify its current divestiture procedures so as to make divestitures 
more timely and effective. The study includes some collection of 
information from the public by means of telephone interviews, requests 
for documents, and a limited questionnaire. All interviews will be 
conducted on a voluntary basis. All information will be collected on a 
voluntary basis.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of the study. They also 
will become a matter of public record.

DATES: Comments on the proposed study must be submitted on or before 
December 30, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Elaine W. Crockett, 
Federal Trade Commission, 6th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 
598, Washington, DC 20580. Requests for copies of the proposed 
information requirements should be addressed to: Kenneth Davidson, 
Compliance Division, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 
Washington, DC 20580.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Davidson, Compliance Division, 
Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580 
(202) 326-2863.

    By direction of the Commission.
Donald S. Clark,
Secretary.

Questionnaire

    Specification Number 1: In the chart below, provide annual net 
sales in dollars and units of [describe the product] for five years 
beginning the year before the [description of the divestiture]. 
Describe the units used. Describe how ``net sales'' were calculated. If 
the company's fiscal year is not the calendar year, describe the 
company's fiscal year and provide the data requested for the company's 
fiscal year closest to the calendar year requested. If requested data 
are not available, provide estimated data and describe the basis upon 
which the estimates were made.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     19-1         19-2         19-          19-          19-    
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Annual net sales ($$$)                                                                                          
Annual net sales (units)                                                                                        
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Company's fiscal year the year before the divestiture occurred.                                             
\2\ Company's fiscal year the year the divestiture occurred.                                                    

    Specification Number Two: Provide interim and annual income 
statements and balance sheets for the divested assets for each of five 
years beginning the year before [describe the divestiture] occurred. If 
such statements were not produced in the course of business for the 
divested assets then provide these statements for the smallest business 
unit that contains said assets that were produced in the course of 
business.

Outline of Questions for Buyer of Assets to be Divested

1. The Divestiture Process
    a. How were you made aware of the order and the divestiture?
    b. Terms of the sales purchase agreement/lease
    c. Difficulties
    d. Did you get everything you were entitled to under the order and 
the sales purchase agreement, e.g. technical assistance, supply 
agreement, all assets.
    e. Did you get everything you expected to get under the order? The 
sales purchase agreement?
    f. When did the divestiture actually occur?
    g. Continuing relationship with respondent?
    h. How did the divestiture fit into your business?
2. The Operation of the Assets
    a. Have you ever operated the assets to make [product]
    b. How quickly were you able to get into the market?
    c. Current operation in the market
    d. Market data
    e. Market changes from time of acquisition until the present
3. Acquirer's Assessment of Divestiture/Order.

[FR Doc. 96-27940 Filed 10-30-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6750-01-M