[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 55 (Monday, March 23, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13835-13836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7367]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


Annual Trade 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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 22, 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: Ronald L. Piencykoski, Bureau of the Census, 
Room 2626-FOB 3, Washington, D.C. 20233-6500, (301) 457-2713.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Annual Trade Survey (ATS) provides a sound statistical basis 
for the formation of policy by other government agencies. It provides 
continuing and timely national statistics on wholesale trade augmenting 
the period between economic censuses, and is a continuation of similar 
wholesale trade surveys conducted each year since 1978. The data that 
the Bureau collects with the ATS, annual sales, end-of-year 
inventories, and purchases, are applicable to a variety of public and

[[Page 13836]]

business needs. The Census Bureau collects these annual data from firms 
reporting in the Monthly Wholesale Trade Survey (MWTS)as well as 
additional firms selected specifically for the annual survey. The 
annual collection is mandatory, whereas response to the monthly is 
voluntary. Estimates developed in the ATS are used to benchmark the 
monthly sales and inventories series and the firms canvassed in this 
survey are not required to maintain additional records since carefully 
prepared estimates are acceptable if book figures are not available.

II. Method of Collection

    We will collect this information by mail, FAX and telephone follow-
up.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0195.
    Form Number: B-450, and B-451.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Wholesale Businesses.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,750.
    Estimated Time Per Response: .3863 hrs (23 minutes).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,221 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The cost to the respondent is 
estimated to be $30,317 based on an annual response burden of 2,221 
hours and a rate of $13.65 per hour to complete the form.
    Respondent's Obligation: mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Section 182, 24, 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 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 17, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-7367 Filed 3-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P