Part 4: Trade information Section 12: Collection of exporter information by HMRC
This section introduces a new function for HMRC, namely, to collect information on behalf of the Government which will assist the Government in identifying companies, partnerships and sole traders that export goods and services.
	Section 12(1) creates a new function for HMRC to request information from any person in order to assist the Secretary of State to establish the number of exporters of goods and services in the UK and to be able to identify those exporters for trade promotion purposes. Compliance with such a request is entirely voluntary and the Act does not provide for the imposition of any sanctions in the event of non-compliance.
	Section 12(2) defines export of goods and services as supply to a person who is outside of the United Kingdom.
	Section 12(3) provides the Treasury with the power to specify in regulations the type of information to be collected and how it will be requested, whether in the tax return or some other method of collection.
	Section 12(4) provides that regulations made under subsection (3) can modify (i.e. amend or repeal) primary legislation. This power is needed so that amendments can be made to the tax Acts, as necessary, in order to allow corporation and personal tax returns to be amended to include the request for exporter information.
	Section 12(5) provides that any regulations made under subsection (3) which amend or repeal an Act of Parliament are subject to the affirmative procedure. Subsection (6) provides that any other regulations made under subsection (3) are subject to the negative procedure.