Written question asked by Peter Kilfoyle (Labour) on Thursday, 26 November 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 November 2009. It was answered by Chris Bryant (Labour) on Tuesday, 1 December 2009 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Italy

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Italian government on the pay levels of British academics working in Italian universities.

Answer: In its judgments of June 2001 and July 2006, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) found that the Italian Government was in breach of European law, because a 1995 law had discriminated against non-Italian nationals in determining the rights and benefits of foreign-language assistants in universities, who were redesignated as "linguistic experts" under the new law.The Association of Foreign Lecturers in Italy has contacted the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about this case. My officials advised them to raise their concerns over Italy's alleged non-compliance with the ECJ ruling with the European Commission, the body legally responsible for enforcing compliance with European law. Officials will meet the Association on 8 December 2009 to discuss the outcome of the latter's consultations with the Commission.

Secondary information