The communist movement, although small, was very active in universities. Better organised than other groups, it had been gaining power in universities out of all proportion to numerical strength.

At times it used physical force. It was financed from "invisible sources."

There had been dramatic confrontation recently between communist groups and university, teachers at a number of German universities, including the University of Berlin.

The first aim of the groups was to get university staff teaching communist doctrine.

Pressure

Beginning usually with the faculty of social science they would put pressure on the professors. Fed up by conflict, these would tend to retire, leaving the faculty open to professors who taught communist principles.

However, a counter-movement had sprung up and many students had realised that they had to participate in student elections and discussion rather than only concentrating on study.

Recognised

In Germany the Communist Party was officially recognised. This had been a Government gesture aimed at improving the nation's relationship with the Soviet Union and its Eastern European neighbours. At present the party had little voting support.

Asked about the Nazi Party's present level of support, Mr Briest said that at the last elections the Nazis had lost their hold all over Germany and virtually disappeared from the Stale Parliaments.

The party was rejected by the younger generation.