In the forthcoming issue of The Prescott Report we carry an article by FEDMA’s Goetz Brandau, Legal Affairs Manager, explaining that unique Brussels term “exchange of views” and distinguishing it from a US Congressional hearing.  We don’t want to spoil the treat that awaits you in Mr. Brandau’s subtle humor, and his expertise, but we do want to share with you the incredibly useful and rich resource he has told us about.

We suspected that records of hearings and exchanges and all sorts of things existed in  Brussels, but were not prepared for the depth and availability of what is on offer, for free, on the website of the European Parliament.  For example, one can download and/or view from file a video recording of a hearing or exchange of views, together with a simultaneous interpretation in any of the 23 official EU languages.  Simply as a study support for language students, this is an amazing tool. For students of policy and legislative history, this is a phenomenal resource.

In the next issue of The Prescott Report we mention an “exchange of views” involving Chairman Kohnstamm, head of the Article 29 Working Party, which is the group of all the data protection commissioners of the European Member States.  You can see the entire hearing by clicking here.  Mr. Kohnstamm appears at around 12:16:20.  The March issue will be out next week: Border Buddies/Border Bullies, Reader’s Trivia and Marketing Masterpieces return. The USPS on ETOE’s.  Report on the USPS international business in 2009. Expanded Privacy Update.