[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 1, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15457-15458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8121]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) Survey

ACTION: Proposed collection; 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 2, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Stephen Andrews, Bureau of the Census, FOB #4 Room 2102, 
Washington, DC 20233-6913, (301) 457-4602.

[[Page 15458]]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) Survey 
requests data from domestic manufacturers on form M-3(SD) which will be 
mailed at the end of each month. Data requested are shipments, new 
orders, unfilled orders, total inventory, materials and supplies, work-
in-process and finished goods. It is currently the only survey which 
provides broad-based monthly statistical data on the economic 
conditions in the domestic manufacturing sector. It is designed to 
measure current industrial activity and to provide an indication of 
future production commitments. The value of shipments measures the 
value of goods delivered during the month by domestic manufacturers. 
Estimates of new orders serve as an indicator of future production 
commitments and represent the current sales value of new orders 
received during the month, net of cancellations. Substantial 
accumulation or depletion of backlog of unfilled orders measures excess 
(or deficient) demand for manufactured products. The level of 
inventories, especially in relation to shipments, is frequently used to 
monitor the business cycle.
    The total annual burden hours are decreased from 24,000 to 20,400 
due to two reasons: (1) companies discontinuing reporting on the survey 
mainly because the survey is not mandatory; and (2) the poor response 
to our survey expansion efforts.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents submit data on form M3-SD via mail or facsimile 
machine. Respondents also transmit data using the Touchtone Data Entry 
(TDE) system or by telephone call from our Computer Assisted Telephone 
Interview (CATI) system.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0008.
    Form Number: M-3(SD).
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for profit.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,150.
    Estimated Time Per Response: .33 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 20,400.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $263,775.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 USC, Sections 131 and 182.

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, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-8121 Filed 3-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P