[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 119 (Thursday, June 20, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42071-42072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-15555]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics


Proposed Collection, Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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. 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 Addresses section of this 
notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
Addresses section of this notice on or before August 19, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Amy A. Hobby, BLS Clearance Officer, 
Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 4080, 
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20212, telephone number 202-
691-7628 (This is not a toll free number.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy A. Hobby, BLS Clearance Officer, 
telephone number 202-691-7628. (See ADDRESSES section.)

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 that allows items that are priced in the CPI to be 
properly weighted.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in 
comments that:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including

[[Page 42072]]

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.

III. Current Action

    Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for the 
Telephone Point of Purchase Survey (TPOPS).
    Since 1997, the survey has been administered quarterly and entirely 
via a computer-assisted-telephone-interview. This survey is flexible 
and creates the possibility of introducing new products into the 
Consumer Price Index in a timely manner. The data collected in this 
survey is necessary for the continuing construction of a current outlet 
universe from which locations are selected for the price collection 
needed for calculating the CPI. Furthermore, the TPOPS survey provides 
the weights used in selecting the items that are priced at these 
establishments. This sample design produces 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: 25,060.
    Frequency: Quarterly.
    Total Responses: 57,280.
    Average Time Per Response: 11 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 10,501 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, DC, this 6th day of June, 2002.
Jes[uacute]s Salinas,
Acting Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor 
Statistics.
[FR Doc. 02-15555 Filed 6-19-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-P