[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 72 (Tuesday, April 15, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18267-18268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9143]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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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. 
Currently, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments 
concerning the proposed revision of the ``Consumer Price Index Housing 
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 below on or before June 16, 2003.

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 Consumer Price Index (CPI) is the timeliest instrument compiled 
by the U.S. Government that is designed to measure changes in the 
purchasing power of the urban consumer's dollar. The CPI is used most 
widely as a measure of inflation, and serves as an indicator of the 
effectiveness of Government economic policy. It also is used as a 
deflator of other economic series, that is, to adjust other series for 
price changes and to translate these series into inflation-free 
dollars.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in 
comments that:
    [sbull] 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;
    [sbull] 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;
    [sbull] Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    [sbull] 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

    This request addresses the continuation of the current Housing 
sample collection, and new construction

[[Page 18268]]

units added yearly. The Housing sample continues utilizing Computer-
Assisted Data Collection (CADC) technology. Field representatives use 
hand-held pen computers and electronically transmit collected data back 
to Washington, DC.
    Type of Review: Revision.
    Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Title: Consumer Price Index Housing Survey.
    OMB Number: 1220-0163.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-
profit.
    Total Respondents: 36,996.
    Frequency: Semi-annually.
    Total Responses: 62,942.
    Average Time Per Response: 6 minutes.
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 6,581.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintaining): $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 3rd day of April, 2003.
Jesus Salinas,
Acting Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor 
Statistics.
[FR Doc. 03-9143 Filed 4-14-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-P