[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 12, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60609-60610]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-22854]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census

[Docket No. 040907254-4254-01]


Current Industrial Reports--MQ315A, Apparel

AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

[[Page 60610]]

SUMMARY: The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) proposes to expand 
its Current Industrial Reports survey, MQ315A, Apparel, to include the 
production of socks. The survey currently provides estimates for a 
number of types of garments but does not include socks. Because of 
interest among some policymakers to measure the economic impact of 
imported socks on domestic producers, the Census Bureau anticipates 
appropriated funds being made available in its Fiscal Year 2005 budget 
for the collection of data on socks. If funds are made available, we 
will add socks to the survey for the 2004 reference year and 
manufacturers of socks will be asked to provide data on the quantity 
and value of socks they shipped, by fiber type and size category. If 
funds are not made available, we will not expand the survey to include 
producers of socks but will conduct the survey with its current 
definitions and coverage. We expect the survey mailing to occur at the 
end of December 2004.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be submitted on or before 
November 12, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to the Director, U.S. Census 
Bureau, Room 2049, Federal Building 3, Washington, DC 20233.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Judy M. Dodds, Assistant Division 
Chief, Census and Related Programs, Manufacturing and Construction 
Division, on (301) 763-4587 or by e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Census Bureau is authorized to conduct 
surveys necessary to furnish current data on subjects covered by the 
major censuses authorized by Title 13, United States Code (U.S.C.), 
Section 182. Data collected in the MQ315A survey is within the general 
scope, type, and character of inquiries covered in the Economic Census 
authorized by Title 13, U.S.C., Section 131. The Census Bureau is also 
authorized to collect and publish quarterly statistics relating to 
domestic apparel and textile industries (Title 13, U.S.C., Section 81). 
The MQ315A is conducted quarterly but has an annual mailing which 
normally collects information from small producers. For survey 2004 we 
would include all producers of socks in this annual supplement to the 
quarterly survey.
    Published estimates from the MQ315A, Apparel, are used by a variety 
of private business and trade associations. They are a major source of 
information about industries that may be impacted by foreign trade. At 
the present time, manufacturers of socks are not included in the MQ315A 
survey. This one-time expansion of MQ315A to include socks will result 
in quantity and value data for policymakers studying the industry.
    Taking into consideration any comments we receive, we will make the 
decision whether or not to expand the survey for 2004 based on our 
budget status at the time of the survey mailing in December. As stated 
previously, if funds are not available and we decide not to expand the 
survey, we will conduct the annual supplemental mailing of the MQ315A, 
Apparel, with its existing OMB approval using the current definitions 
and industry coverage.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure 
to comply with, a collection of information subject to requirements of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) control number. In accordance with the PRA, 44 U.S.C., Chapter 
35, the OMB approved the Current industrial Reports--``MQ315A, 
Apparel'', under OMB Control Number 0607-0395. The total burden hours 
associated with OMB Control Number 0607-0395 are 14,956 hours. We will 
provide copies of each form upon written request to the Director, U.S. 
Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233-0001.

    Dated: October 5, 2004.
Charles Louis Kincannon,
Director, Bureau of the Census.
[FR Doc. 04-22854 Filed 10-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P