[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 3, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10360-10362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5350]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


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

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

[[Page 10361]]

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 4, 1998.

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(s) and instructions 
should be directed to:

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             Contact                     Industries             Telephone                   Address             
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Michael Zampogna................  Manufactured nondurable      (301) 457-4810  Bureau of Census, Manufacturing &
                                   products.                                    Construction Division, Room     
                                                                                2212, Building 4, Washington, DC
                                                                                20233.                          
Kenneth Hansen..................  Manufactured durable         (301) 457-4755  Bureau of Census, Manufacturing &
                                   products.                                    Construction Division, Room     
                                                                                2207, Building 4, Washington, DC
                                                                                20233.                          
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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 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. 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 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.
    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 II for 
clearance. The surveys in Wave II are as follow:

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               Mandatory surveys                                        Voluntary surveys                       
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M20J--Oilseeds, Beans and Nuts................  *M20A--Flour Milling.                                           
M20L--Fats and Oils (Renderers)...............  *M32G--Glass Containers.                                        
M22N--Cotton in Public Storage................  *M33J--Steel (Producers).                                       
M22P--Cotton Manmade Fiber Staple.............   MQ28A--Inorganic Chemicals.                                    
MQ23A--Apparel................................   MQ28C--Industrial Gases.                                       
MQ23X--Bed and Bath Furnishings...............   MQ28F--Paint, Varnish, & Lacquer.                              
MA22F--Yarn...................................   MQ31A--Shoes and Slippers.                                     
MQ35W--Metalworking Machinery.................  *MQ36C--Fluorescent Lamp Ballast.                               
MA22F--Yarn...................................   MA20D--Confectionery.                                          
MA22K--Knit Fabric............................   MA35N--Fluid Power Products.                                   
MA22Q--Carpet and Rugs........................   MA35U--Vending Machines.                                       
MA24T--Lumber.................................   MA36L--Electric Light Fixtures.                                
MA28A--Inorganic Chemicals.                                                                                     
MA28B--Inorganic Fertilizer.                                                                                    
MA28C--Industrial Gases.                                                                                        
MA28G--Pharmaceutical.                                                                                          
MA31A--Shoes and Slippers.                                                                                      
MA33L--Insulated Wire and Cable.                                                                                
MA35L--Internal Combustion Engines.                                                                             
MA35P--Pumps and Compressors.                                                                                   
MA36E--Electric Housewares and Fans.                                                                            
MA36M--Consumer Electronics.                                                                                    
MA36Q--Semiconductor & Etc.                                                                                     
MA38R--Electromed/Irradiation Equipment.                                                                        
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*These voluntary surveys have mandatory annual counterparts.                                                    

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: 0607-0395--Mandatory Surveys. 0607-0206--Voluntary & 
Annual Counterparts Surveys.
    Form Number: See Chart Above.
    Type of Review: Regular Review.
    Affected Public: Businesses, other for profit, or organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Mandatory Surveys--35,931; 
Voluntary & Annual Counterparts Surveys--7,333: Total--43,264.
    Estimated Time Per Response: Mandatory Surveys--20.50 hrs. avg.

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Voluntary & Annual Counterparts Surveys--9.52 hrs. avg.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: Mandatory Surveys--27,636 hours. 
Voluntary & Annual Counterparts Surveys--5,330 hours. Total--32,970 
hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The estimated cost to respondents for 
all the CIR reports in Wave II for fiscal year 1998 is $426,302.
    Respondent's Obligation: 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.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 61, 81, 
131, 182, 224, and 225.

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 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: February 25, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-5350 Filed 3-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P