Federal Register: July 8, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 130)

DOCID: FR Doc 05-13416

SUBJECT CATEGORY:

Proposed Collection, Comment Request

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice on or before September 6, 2005.

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. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the proposed revision of the ``Telephone Point of Purchase 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 purpose of this survey is to develop and maintain a timely list of retail, wholesale, and service establishments where urban consumers shop for specified items. This information is used as the sampling universe for selecting establishments at which prices of specific items are collected and monitored for use in calculating the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The survey has been ongoing since 1980 and also provides expenditure data that allows items that are priced in the CPI to be properly weighted.

II. Current Action

Office of Management and Budget clearance is being sought for the Telephone Point of Purchase Survey (TPOPS).

Since 1997, the survey has been administered quarterly via a computerassistedtelephoneinterview. This survey is flexible and creates the possibility of introducing new products into the CPI in a timely manner. The data collected in this survey are necessary for the continuing construction of a current outlet universe from which locations are selected for the price collection needed for calculating the CPI. Furthermore, the TPOPS provides the weights used in selecting the items that are priced at these establishments. This sample design produces an overall CPI market basket that is more reflective of the prices faced and the establishments visited by urban consumers.

For this clearance, the BLS and the Census Bureau have completed a sample redesign based on the 2000 Census to be implemented for the TPOPS in 2006. While the new sample is introduced, there will be some overlap of old and new samples in some primary sampling units (PSUs) or areas in which TPOPS data are collected. In addition, each new PSU will have an increased sample to be able to field a full outlet sample to collect prices for the CPI.

III. Desired Focus of Comments

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in comments that:

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;

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;

Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

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.

Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.

Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Title: Telephone Point of Purchase Survey.

OMB Number: 12200044.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Total Respondents: 22,627.

Frequency: Quarterly.

Total Responses: 59,964.

Average Time Per Response: 12 minutes.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 11,993 hours.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): $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.

[[Page 39534]]

Signed in Washington, DC, this 24th day of June, 2005. Cathy Kazanowski,
Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics. [FR Doc. 0513416 Filed 7705; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 451028P

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

Amy A. Hobby, BLS Clearance Officer, telephone number 2026917628. (See ADDRESSES section.)

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