Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request, 47129-47130 [E8-18650]

Download as PDF ebenthall on PRODPC60 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 157 / Wednesday, August 13, 2008 / Notices Survey (MECS), which is conducted for the Department of Energy by the Census Bureau. The Department of Commerce uses the exports of manufactured products data to measure the importance of exports to the manufacturing economy of each state. Within the Census Bureau, the ASM data are used to benchmark and reconcile monthly and quarterly data on manufacturing production and inventories. The ASM is the only source of complete establishment statistics for the programs mentioned above. The ASM furnishes up-to-date estimates of employment and payrolls, hours and wages of production workers, value added by manufacture, cost of materials, value of shipments by class of product, inventories, cost of employer’s fringe benefits, operating expenses, and expenditures for new and used plant and equipment. The survey provides data for most of these items for all 5digit and selected 6-digit industries as defined in the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). We also provide geographic data by state at a more aggregated industry level. The survey also provides valuable information to private companies, research organizations, and trade associations. Industry makes extensive use of the annual figures on product class shipments at the U.S. level in its market analysis, product planning, and investment planning. State development/planning agencies rely on the survey as a major source of comprehensive economic data for policymaking, planning, and administration. The Ownership or Control Forms (NC–99530) will be used to update the Business Register, the basic sampling frame for many of our current surveys. This enables us to update establishments in the Census Bureau’s Business Register that are incorrectly identified as being single-establishment firms. Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations. Frequency: Annually. Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory. Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 182, 224, 225. OMB Desk Officer: Brian HarrisKojetin, (202) 395–7314. Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, (202) 482–0266, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at dhynek@doc.gov). VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:38 Aug 12, 2008 Jkt 214001 Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to Brian Harris-Kojetin, OMB Desk Officer either by fax (202–395– 7245) or e-mail (bharrisk@omb.eop.gov). Dated: August 7, 2008. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E8–18649 Filed 8–12–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–07–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). Agency: U.S. Census Bureau. Title: Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories, and Orders to the Department of Defense. Form Number(s): M3–DOD, M3– DOD(I). OMB Control Number: None. Type of Request: New collection. Burden Hours: 2,500. Number of Respondents: 5,000. Average Hours Per Response: 30 minutes. Needs and Uses: The Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) survey collects monthly data on shipments, inventories, and orders from domestic manufacturing companies. The purpose of the M3 survey is to provide early broad-based monthly statistical data on current economic conditions and indications of future production commitments in the manufacturing sector. The orders, as well as the shipments and inventory data, are used widely and are valuable tools for analysis of business cycle conditions. Major data users include: members of the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Federal Reserve Board (FRB), Conference Board, Treasury Department, and the business community. The monthly M3 reflects primarily the month-to-month changes of companies within the survey. The M3 survey collects data for 89 industry categories of which 13 provide defense and nondefense allocations. Those industries include: Small Arms and Ordnance; Communications Equipment; Search and Navigation Equipment; Aircraft; PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 47129 Aircraft Engine and Parts; Missile, Space Vehicle, and Parts Manufacturing; and Ship and Boat Building. The link relative estimator used in the M3 is not self-correcting. A minor error in the series can be magnified by the multiplicative effect of the estimator. Over time, the M3 estimates can be significantly different than the true universe levels. Consequently, there is a need to re-establish these universe levels on a periodic basis. The Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM) provides annual benchmarks for the shipments and inventory data for the M3 survey; however, the ASM does not distinguish between defense and non-defense activities. The last collection instrument used to benchmark defense and nondefense data was the Shipments to Federal Agencies Benchmark Survey (MA–9675) conducted in 1992. Since the defense industries have dramatically changed, it is necessary to conduct a benchmark survey to obtain a current allocation of data between defense and non-defense manufacturing activities for the M3 universe levels. The Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories, and Orders to the Department of Defense (M3DOD) survey will collect 2006 and 2007 shipments, inventories, and unfilled orders data from domestic manufacturing companies that encompass defense manufacturing activities. This survey will be conducted every five years to provide correct benchmark levels and preserve the integrity of the estimates for the M3 survey, especially for the closely watched non-defense capital goods series. The monthly M3 data will be adjusted based on the results of the M3DOD survey. The M3DOD survey will provide upto-date shipments, unfilled orders, and inventories data to domestic manufacturing establishments that encompass defense and non-defense manufacturing activities. During the M3’s benchmarking process, the data will be applied to adjust shipments, unfilled orders, and inventories for selected M3 industries on a NAICS basis. The M3’s current universe will be recalibrated to a new level reflecting the most recent economic condition of defense and non-defense sectors. Once revisions are finalized, the benchmark will take place, revising the M3’s historical time series beginning with 1992 for defense and non-defense sectors. The benchmark report will be released to the public electronically. The M3’s data users will have more accurate data reflecting short and longterm trends in these manufacturing sectors. E:\FR\FM\13AUN1.SGM 13AUN1 47130 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 157 / Wednesday, August 13, 2008 / Notices The value of shipments, especially when adjusted for change in inventory, measures current levels of production. Changes in the level of unfilled orders, because of excess or shortfall of new orders compared with shipments, are used to measure the excess (or deficiency) in the demand for manufactured products. Changes in the level of inventories and the relation of these to shipments are used to project future movements in manufacturing activity. These statistics are valuable for analysts of business cycle conditions, including members of the CEA, BEA, FRB, Department of Treasury, business firms, trade associates, private research and consulting agencies, and the academic community. Affected Public: Business or other forprofit. Frequency: Every five years. Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory. Legal Authority: The M3DOD survey will be conducted on a mandatory basis under the authority of Title 13, United State Code, Sections 131, 182, 193 and 224. OMB Desk Officer: Brian HarrisKojetin, (202) 395–7314. Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, (202) 482–0266, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at dhynek@doc.gov ). Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to Brian Harris-Kojetin, OMB Desk Officer either by fax (202–395– 7245) or e-mail (bharrisk@omb.eop.gov). Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E8–18650 Filed 8–12–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–07–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Economic Analysis Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Direct Investments Survey: Direct Transactions of U.S. Reporter with Foreign Affiliate ebenthall on PRODPC60 with NOTICES ACTION: Notice. 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 SUMMARY: VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:38 Aug 12, 2008 Jkt 214001 take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before 5 p.m. October 14, 2008. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diane Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230, or via e-mail at dhynek@doc.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to David Galler, Chief, Direct Investment Division (BE–50), Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230; phone: (202) 606–9835; fax: (202) 606– 5318; or via e-mail at David.Galler@bea.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The Form BE–577, Direct Transactions of U.S. Reporter with Foreign Affiliate, obtains quarterly data on transactions and positions between U.S.-owned foreign business enterprises and their U.S. parent companies. The survey is a sample survey that covers all foreign affiliates above a size-exemption level. The sample data are used to derive universe estimates in nonbenchmark years from similar data reported in the BE–10, Benchmark Survey of U.S. Direct Investment Abroad, which is taken every five years. The data are used in the preparation of the U.S. international transactions accounts, the input-output accounts, and the national income and product accounts. The data are needed to measure the size and economic significance of direct investment abroad, measure changes in such investment, and assess its impact on the U.S. and foreign economies. The data from the survey are primarily intended as general purpose statistics. They should be readily available to answer any number of research and policy questions related to U.S. direct investment abroad. The form remains the same as in the past. No changes in the data collected or in exemption levels are proposed. II. Method of Collection Survey forms will be sent to U.S. parent companies each quarter; responses will be due within 30 days after the close of each fiscal quarter, except for the final quarter of the fiscal PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 year, when reports should be filed within 45 days. A report must be filed for every foreign business enterprise whose voting stock (or the equivalent) is owned 10 percent or more by a U.S. business enterprise and for which any one of the following three items was greater than $40 million (positive or negative) at the end of, or for, the foreign business enterprise’s fiscal year: (1) Total assets, (2) sales or gross operating revenues excluding sales taxes, or (3) net income after provision for foreign income taxes. As an alternative to filing paper forms, BEA will offer an electronic filing option, its eFile system, for use in reporting on Form BE–577. For more information about eFile go to https:// www.bea.gov/efile. Potential respondents are the U.Sowned foreign business enterprises that were reported in the last benchmark survey of U.S. direct investment abroad, which covered the data year 2004, along with the foreign business enterprises that subsequently entered the direct investment universe. The data collected are sample data. Universe estimates are developed from the reported sample data. III. Data OMB Number: 0608–0004. Form Number: BE–577. Type of Review: Regular submission. Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 15,500 per quarter; 62,000 annually. Estimated Time Per Response: 1 hour is the average, but may vary according to the number, size, and complexity of the businesses covered by the response. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 62,000. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0. 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 will 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 E:\FR\FM\13AUN1.SGM 13AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 13, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47129-47130]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-18650]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of 
information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. chapter 35).
    Agency: U.S. Census Bureau.
    Title: Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders to the 
Department of Defense.
    Form Number(s): M3-DOD, M3-DOD(I).
    OMB Control Number: None.
    Type of Request: New collection.
    Burden Hours: 2,500.
    Number of Respondents: 5,000.
    Average Hours Per Response: 30 minutes.
    Needs and Uses: The Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and 
Orders (M3) survey collects monthly data on shipments, inventories, and 
orders from domestic manufacturing companies. The purpose of the M3 
survey is to provide early broad-based monthly statistical data on 
current economic conditions and indications of future production 
commitments in the manufacturing sector. The orders, as well as the 
shipments and inventory data, are used widely and are valuable tools 
for analysis of business cycle conditions. Major data users include: 
members of the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Bureau of Economic 
Analysis (BEA), Federal Reserve Board (FRB), Conference Board, Treasury 
Department, and the business community.
    The monthly M3 reflects primarily the month-to-month changes of 
companies within the survey. The M3 survey collects data for 89 
industry categories of which 13 provide defense and non-defense 
allocations. Those industries include: Small Arms and Ordnance; 
Communications Equipment; Search and Navigation Equipment; Aircraft; 
Aircraft Engine and Parts; Missile, Space Vehicle, and Parts 
Manufacturing; and Ship and Boat Building.
    The link relative estimator used in the M3 is not self-correcting. 
A minor error in the series can be magnified by the multiplicative 
effect of the estimator. Over time, the M3 estimates can be 
significantly different than the true universe levels. Consequently, 
there is a need to re-establish these universe levels on a periodic 
basis. The Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM) provides annual 
benchmarks for the shipments and inventory data for the M3 survey; 
however, the ASM does not distinguish between defense and non-defense 
activities. The last collection instrument used to benchmark defense 
and non-defense data was the Shipments to Federal Agencies Benchmark 
Survey (MA-9675) conducted in 1992. Since the defense industries have 
dramatically changed, it is necessary to conduct a benchmark survey to 
obtain a current allocation of data between defense and non-defense 
manufacturing activities for the M3 universe levels.
    The Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders to the 
Department of Defense (M3DOD) survey will collect 2006 and 2007 
shipments, inventories, and unfilled orders data from domestic 
manufacturing companies that encompass defense manufacturing 
activities. This survey will be conducted every five years to provide 
correct benchmark levels and preserve the integrity of the estimates 
for the M3 survey, especially for the closely watched non-defense 
capital goods series. The monthly M3 data will be adjusted based on the 
results of the M3DOD survey.
    The M3DOD survey will provide up-to-date shipments, unfilled 
orders, and inventories data to domestic manufacturing establishments 
that encompass defense and non-defense manufacturing activities. During 
the M3's benchmarking process, the data will be applied to adjust 
shipments, unfilled orders, and inventories for selected M3 industries 
on a NAICS basis. The M3's current universe will be recalibrated to a 
new level reflecting the most recent economic condition of defense and 
non-defense sectors. Once revisions are finalized, the benchmark will 
take place, revising the M3's historical time series beginning with 
1992 for defense and non-defense sectors. The benchmark report will be 
released to the public electronically. The M3's data users will have 
more accurate data reflecting short and long-term trends in these 
manufacturing sectors.

[[Page 47130]]

    The value of shipments, especially when adjusted for change in 
inventory, measures current levels of production. Changes in the level 
of unfilled orders, because of excess or shortfall of new orders 
compared with shipments, are used to measure the excess (or deficiency) 
in the demand for manufactured products. Changes in the level of 
inventories and the relation of these to shipments are used to project 
future movements in manufacturing activity. These statistics are 
valuable for analysts of business cycle conditions, including members 
of the CEA, BEA, FRB, Department of Treasury, business firms, trade 
associates, private research and consulting agencies, and the academic 
community.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Frequency: Every five years.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: The M3DOD survey will be conducted on a mandatory 
basis under the authority of Title 13, United State Code, Sections 131, 
182, 193 and 224.
    OMB Desk Officer: Brian Harris-Kojetin, (202) 395-7314.
    Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained 
by calling or writing Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance 
Officer, (202) 482-0266, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at 
dhynek@doc.gov ).
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice 
to Brian Harris-Kojetin, OMB Desk Officer either by fax (202-395-7245) 
or e-mail (bharrisk@omb.eop.gov).

Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-18650 Filed 8-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P
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