[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 1, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 15457-15458] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-8121] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of the Census Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) Survey 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 June 2, 1997. 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 and instructions should be directed to Stephen Andrews, Bureau of the Census, FOB #4 Room 2102, Washington, DC 20233-6913, (301) 457-4602. [[Page 15458]] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) Survey requests data from domestic manufacturers on form M-3(SD) which will be mailed at the end of each month. Data requested are shipments, new orders, unfilled orders, total inventory, materials and supplies, work- in-process and finished goods. It is currently the only survey which provides broad-based monthly statistical data on the economic conditions in the domestic manufacturing sector. It is designed to measure current industrial activity and to provide an indication of future production commitments. The value of shipments measures the value of goods delivered during the month by domestic manufacturers. Estimates of new orders serve as an indicator of future production commitments and represent the current sales value of new orders received during the month, net of cancellations. Substantial accumulation or depletion of backlog of unfilled orders measures excess (or deficient) demand for manufactured products. The level of inventories, especially in relation to shipments, is frequently used to monitor the business cycle. The total annual burden hours are decreased from 24,000 to 20,400 due to two reasons: (1) companies discontinuing reporting on the survey mainly because the survey is not mandatory; and (2) the poor response to our survey expansion efforts. II. Method of Collection Respondents submit data on form M3-SD via mail or facsimile machine. Respondents also transmit data using the Touchtone Data Entry (TDE) system or by telephone call from our Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) system. III. Data OMB Number: 0607-0008. Form Number: M-3(SD). Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection. Affected Public: Businesses or other for profit. Estimated Number of Respondents: 5,150. Estimated Time Per Response: .33 hour. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 20,400. Estimated Total Annual Cost: $263,775. Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary. Legal Authority: Title 13 USC, Sections 131 and 182. 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, 1997. Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and Organization. [FR Doc. 97-8121 Filed 3-31-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-07-P