SECRET its Chairman should begin to operate as soon as the term of office of the Commander of B.I.O.(G) expires towards the end of this year. The Foreign Office are willing to provide a suitable officer at that time. Finance 8. Although the cost of maintaining ourselves in Germany is at present covered up to June 30, 1954, we must look ahead to the time when the flow of Dcutschemarks will cease and the maintenance of even a reduced intelligence organisation in Germany will be a direct charge on the British taxpayer and a strain on our foreign exchange resources.