Current Industrial Reports SurveysWAVE III (Voluntary and Mandatory Submissions)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census

Current Industrial Reports Surveys--WAVE III (Voluntary and

Mandatory Submissions)

ACTION: Proposed agency information collection activity; comment

request.

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

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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.

3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 3, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Acting

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:

Food, Textiles & Apparel and Wood and Chemical Products--Michael

[[Page 14738]]

Zampogna, (301) 457-4810, Bureau of Census, Manufacturing &

Construction Division, Room 2212, Building 4, Washington, DC 20233.

Electrical & Transportation and Metals and Industrial Machinery--

Kenneth Hansen, (301) 457-4755, Bureau of Census, Manufacturing &

Construction Division, Room 2207, Building 4, Washington, DC 20233.

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 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. 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's 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.

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 III for

clearance. The surveys in Wave III are as follows:

Mandatory Surveys

MA23D--Gloves and Mittens

MA32E--Consumer, Scientific, Technical, and Industrial Glassware

MA35A--Farm Machinery and Lawn and Garden Equipment

MA35D--Construction Machinery

MA35F--Mining Machinery MA35J--Selected Pollution Control Equipment

MA35M--Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment

MQ22T--Broadwoven Fabrics (Gray)

Voluntary Surveys

M33D--Aluminum Ingot and Mill Products MA20D--Confectionery MA35U--

Vending Machines

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: 0607-0476--Mandatory Surveys; 0607-0776--Voluntary

Surveys.

Form Number: M33D, MQ22T, MA20D, MA23D, MA32E, MA35A, MA35D, MA35F,

MA35J, MA35M and MA35U.

Type of Review: Regular Review.

Affected Public: Businesses and other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: Mandatory Surveys--3,207;

Voluntary Surveys--904.

Estimated Time Per Response: Mandatory Surveys--1.33 hrs; Voluntary

Surveys--2.96 hrs.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: Mandatory Surveys--4,253;

Voluntary Surveys--2,679.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: The estimated cost of the CIR program

for fiscal year 1996 is $4.2 million.

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 26, 1996.

Linda Engelmeier,

Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and

Organization.

[FR Doc. 96-7781 Filed 4-2-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-07-P