Federal Register: April 15, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 72)
DOCID: FR Doc 03-9143
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Labor Statistics Bureau
NOTICE: NOTICES
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Proposed Collection; Comment Request
DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the Addresses section below on or before June 16, 2003.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a preclearance 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.
SUMMARY:
Agency information collection activities; proposals, submissions, and approvals,
SUPPLEMENTAL 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 inflationfree 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
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units added yearly. The Housing sample continues utilizing Computer
Assisted Data Collection (CADC) technology. Field representatives use
handheld 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: 12200163.
Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for profit.
Total Respondents: 36,996.
Frequency: Semiannually.
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. 039143 Filed 41403; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 451024P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Amy A. Hobby, BLS Clearance Officer, telephone number (202) 6917628. (See Addresses section).