British Indian Ocean Territory (Sovereignty and Constitutional Arrangements) Bill

What the bill does

A Bill to make provision about sovereignty and constitutional arrangements in respect of the British Indian Ocean Territory, also known as the Chagos Archipelago; to prohibit the making of payments of public funds to the government of another country in connection with the sovereignty or constitutional arrangements of the British Indian Ocean Territory, unless authorised by Parliament; to require the Secretary of State to consult and engage with British Chagossians in relation to any proposed changes to the sovereignty and constitutional arrangements of the British Indian Ocean Territory; and for connected purposes.

Progress through Parliament

What 2nd reading means, and what happens next

Second reading is the first full debate on the principle of the bill. The House votes on whether it should proceed at all.

If it passes, the bill goes to committee stage, where it is examined line by line and amendments are considered.

Read the full guide to this stage: What happens at second reading of a bill

Questions about the British Indian Ocean Territory (Sovereignty and Constitutional Arrangements) Bill

What stage is the British Indian Ocean Territory (Sovereignty and Constitutional Arrangements) Bill at?

The British Indian Ocean Territory (Sovereignty and Constitutional Arrangements) Bill is currently at 2nd reading in the UK Parliament.

Has the British Indian Ocean Territory (Sovereignty and Constitutional Arrangements) Bill become law?

Not yet. A bill becomes law only when it has passed both Houses and received Royal Assent. The British Indian Ocean Territory (Sovereignty and Constitutional Arrangements) Bill is currently at 2nd reading.

What happens next to the British Indian Ocean Territory (Sovereignty and Constitutional Arrangements) Bill?

If it passes, the bill goes to committee stage, where it is examined line by line and amendments are considered.

Who sponsored the British Indian Ocean Territory (Sovereignty and Constitutional Arrangements) Bill?

The British Indian Ocean Territory (Sovereignty and Constitutional Arrangements) Bill was sponsored by Priti Patel.

When was the British Indian Ocean Territory (Sovereignty and Constitutional Arrangements) Bill introduced?

It was introduced to Parliament on 10 June 2025, at first reading.

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