Current Population SurveyBasic Demographic Items

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census

Current Population Survey--Basic Demographic Items

ACTION: Proposed collection; 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 May 11, 1999.

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 Gregory Weyland, Census Bureau, FOB 3, Room 3340,

Washington, DC 20233-8400, (301) 457-3806.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Census Bureau plans to request clearance from the Office of

Management and Budget (OMB) for the collection of basic demographic

information on the Current Population Survey (CPS) beginning in October

1999. The current clearance expires September 30, 1999.

The CPS has been the source of official government statistics on

employment and unemployment for over 50 years. The Bureau of Labor

Statistics (BLS) and the Census Bureau jointly sponsor the basic

monthly survey. The Census Bureau also prepares and conducts all the

field work. At the OMB's request, the Census Bureau and the BLS divide

the clearance request in order to reflect the joint sponsorship and

funding of the CPS program. The justification that follows is in

support of the demographic data.

The demographic information collected in the CPS provides a unique

set of data on selected characteristics for the civilian

noninstitutional population. Some of the demographic information we

collect are age, marital status, gender, Armed Forces status,

education, race, origin, and family income. We use these data in

conjunction with other data, particularly the monthly labor force data,

as well as periodic supplement data. We use these data also

independently for internal analytic research and for evaluation of

other surveys. In addition, we use these data as a control to produce

accurate estimates of other personal characteristics.

II. Method of Collection

The CPS basic demographic information is collected from individual

households by both personal visit and telephone interviews each month.

All interviews are conducted using computer-assisted interviewing.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0607-0049.

Form Number: There are no forms. We conduct all interviewing on

computers.

Type of Review: Regular.

Affected Public: Households.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 48,000 per month.

Estimated Time Per Response: 1.58 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 15,168.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: There is no cost to respondents other

than their time.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Section 182; and

Title 29, United States Code, Sections 1-9.

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.

[[Page 12285]]

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized

and/or included in the request for the OMB approval of this information

collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Dated: March 8, 1999.

Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information

Officer.

[FR Doc. 99-6191 Filed 3-11-99; 8:45 a.m.]

BILLING CODE 3510-07-P