BRUSSELS - Conservative MEP for Scotland Ian Duncan Wednesday joined in the chorus of demands for EU Employment Commissioner Marianne Thyssen to begin infringement proceedings against Italy for its "clear discrimination" of foreign lecturers working in Italian universities.

 "Given that this was first brought to the European Parliament in 1998 I hope that Commissioner Thyssen is now able to act on what appears to be a clear case of discrimination," said Duncan, who also is Chief Whip of the Conservatives in the European Parliament.

 "Laws must be applied equally, without fear or favour," he said in a statement.

 Mr Duncan's remarks echoed a call by Labour MEP Jude Kirton-Darling who Monday wrote to Ms Thyssen demanding the infringement proceedings after a court in Brescia extinguished the judicial cases of three foreign lecturers. 

 There was no immediate reaction from Ms Thyssen, however.